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REMAINS 


OF   THE 


EEY.  WILLIAM  JACKSON, 

LATE  RECTOR  OF  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  LOUISVILLE,  KY. 


WITH    A    BRIEF    SKETCH    OF 


HIS  LIFE  AND   CHARACTER 


BY  REV.  WM.  M.  JACKSON. 


2Crm-V|orl\ : 
STANFORD    AND    SWORDS, 

NO.      C  X  X  X  I  X  ,      BROADWAY. 

1S47. 


E.xteked  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1847,  by 
STANFORD  AND  SWORDS, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of 

New-York. 


John  R.  M'Gown,  Priuter. 


ex 

c   13  r 


6  NOTE. 

CO 

5  


For  a  volume  like  this,  a  Preface  were  unnecessary. 

Xf     It  speaks  for  itself.     It  is  now  sent  forth,  with  the 

8     humble  prayer,  that  the  many  friends  who  have  soli- 

z    cited,  may  reap  all  the  gratification  and  profit  which 

they  have  anticipated  from  its  publication. 

g}  THE    EDITOR. 

iC 

o 
o 
n 

in 

z 


MEMOIR. 


MEMOIR. 


There  are  some  men  whose  biographies  are  emblazoned, 
on  almost  every  page,  with  the  record  of  bold  adventure, 
or  startling  incident,  or  proud  achievement.  There  are 
others,  whose  whole  history  will  scarce  furnish  a  single 
deed  of  "  vulgar  greatness."  The  life  of  the  one,  is  like 
the  flow  of  the  Rhine,  on  which  the  traveller's  eye  is  con- 
tinually greeted  with  historic  scenes  and  castellated  towers  ; 
with  beetling  cliffs  and  baronial  halls ;  exciting  at  every 
turn  of  its  meanderings  emotions  of  wonder  or  delight.  The 
life  of  the  other,  is  like  some  noiseless  stream,  which  wends 
its  way  through  a  quiet  landscape  ;  calm,  even,  and  almost 
monotonous  in  its  flow ;  with  scarce  an  object  of  interest  to 
arrest  the  traveller's  eye,  but  irrigating  many  a  thirsty  field, 
bearing  upon  its  bosom  many  a  freighted  bark,  and  diffusing 
thousands  of  blessings  in  its  progress. 

It  is  not  incident,  it  is  not  achievement,  but  character, 
which  imparts  value  to  a  biography.  The  former  may 
impart  an  absorbing  interest,  and  yet  leave  it  utterly  worth- 
less ;  and  so,  on  the  other  hand,  character  may  be  developed 
where  there  is  nothing  of  the  bold  or  the  amusing,  the 
marvellous  or  the  chivalric,  to  embellish  or  enliven  the 
narrative. 


8  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

And  such  is  the  character  which  these  pages  attempt  to 
delineate; — and  the  task  is  undertaken,  not  only  to  supply 
a  necessary  appendage  to  this  memorial  of  the  departed, 
which  has  been  so  urgently  solicited  by  attached  and 
afflicted  friends  ;  but  to  exhibit,  what  the  writer,  from  an 
intimate  acquaintance,  cannot  but  regard  as  a  very  com- 
plete and  symmetrical  character  of  a  Christian  minister. 

But  he  approaches  the  task  with  diffidence ;  not  on  ac- 
count of  its  magnitude,  for  it  will  be  little  more  than  a  pro- 
file ; — not  that  his  pen  is  loathe  to  execute  the  task,  for  to 
sketch  the  character  of  a  relative  so  revered,  so  beloved, 
were  delightful  work  :  but  lest  with  this  theme  in  hand,  he 
may  be  unable  to  portray  it  with  that  impartiality,  without 
which,  history  becomes  fiction,  and  the  privileges  of  the 
biographer,  the  mere  fancy-sketches  of  a  limner.  So  many 
sweet  memories  of  the  past  cluster  around,  exhibiting  the 
character  before  him  in  so  many  varied  aspects  of  more 
than  ordinary  excellence,  that  he  fears  to  trust  himself  with 
the  delineation.  Upon  the  sketches  furnished  by  others, 
better  qualified  than  himself,  he  will  mainly  draw  for  the 
materials  of  this  unpretending  memorial. 

The  Rev.  William  Jackson,  was  born  at  Tutbury,  in 
the  County  of  Stafford,  England,  on  the  30th  of  January, 
1793.  It  was  his  happiness  to  be  born  of  parents  who  had 
the  fear  of  God  before  their  eyes,  and  the  religious  training 
which  he  received  at  their  hands  was  doubtless  an  important 
means  of  moulding  the  character  which  he  afterwards  ex- 
hibited. To  this,  the  society  he  was  in  the  habit  of  meeting 
at  his  father's  house,  likewise  contributed,  consisting,  as 
it  did,  of  clergymen  and  others,  amongst  whom  were  many 
eminent  for  their  piety  and  usefulness,  such  as  Legh  Rich- 
mond, the  Rev.  Mr.  Cotterill,  (who  was  at  one  time  their 
beloved  vicar,)  and  others  whose  names  are  well  known  in 


MEMOIR. 


the  religious  world.  But  perhaps  his  ministerial  character 
received  its  strongest  impress  from  the  faithful  teaching  and 
lovely  example  of  his  beloved  and  excellent  friend  and 
pastor,  the  Rev.  G.  W.  Hutchinson.  This  gentleman 
was  the  grandson  of  Gov.  Hutchinson,  the  last  colonial 
governor  of  Massachusetts.  His  early  and  lamented  death, 
and  remarkably  devoted  and  exemplary  life,  were  portrayed 
in  a  short  biography  which  appeared  in  England  soon  after 
his  decease.  For  his  memory  Mr.  J.  cherished,  to  the  last 
day  of  his  life,  a  lively  affection  and  deep  reverence ;  and 
ever  spoke  of  him  as  one,  whose  spirituality  of  character, 
blamelessness  of  life,  and  almost  incredible  abundance  of 
parochial  labors,  constituted  him,  next  to  the  Great  Shep- 
herd and  Bishop  of  souls,  the  model  he  desired  to  follow. 
In  a  letter  to  a  friend  travelling  in  England,  he  thus  refers 
to  him. 

"  And  so  you  have  been  to  Tutbury — that  spot  'beloved 
by  me  o'er  all  the  world  beside.'  Many  are  the  pleasing 
recollections,  connected  with  that  place,  to  me.  There  I 
was  born,  and  there,  I  trust,  I  was  born  again — there  my 
father  and  mother  lie,  and  in  that  old  church,  my  spiritual 
father  lies.  When  you  visit  it  again,  do  go  to  their  graves  for 
me.  My  dear  father's  prayers,  and  dear  Hutchinson's 
preaching,  were  instrumental,  under  God,  in  bringing  me 
from  darkness  to  light,  from  death  to  life.  I  may  never 
stand  over  their  mortal  remains,  but  I  expect  to  meet  them 
where  '  mortality  is  swallowed  up  of  life.'  The  former 
would  be  a  pleasure,  but  it  would  be  a  joy  mingled  with 
tears  ;  the  latter  would  be  unmingled  delight,  for  in  that 
blest  world  all  tears  are  wiped  away." 

Very  early  in  life  he  became  impressed  with  a  sense  of 
his  guilt  and  danger  as  a  sinner; — and  his  fondness  for 
reading  and  study  being  remarkably  strong,  he  was  very 


10  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.   JACKSON. 

naturally  led  to  the  selection  of  some  of  the  most  valuable 
works  of  sacred  literature.  But  the  Bible  and  the  "  The  Pil- 
grim's Progress,"  were  his  favorite  companions.  The  latter 
he  had  read  through  seven  times  before  he  reached  his  twelfth 
year.  His  mother  used  to  tell  him  that  "  it  was  an  excellent 
book  if  he  could  but  understand  it."  "  So  foolish  was  I," 
he  remarked  at  a  maturer  age,  "that  I  thought  I  understood 
every  word  of  it :  but  experience  has  since  taught  me, 
much  more  effectually,  how  difficult  it  is  to  travel  through 
the  world  like  a  pilgrim,  and  like  a  good  Christian,  to  fight 
the  fight  of  faith." 

Of  his  early  youth  we  have  but  a  brief  history.  Against 
the  baleful  contamination  of  ungodly  friends,  not  even  the 
vigilant  eye  of  most  anxious  parents  could  protect  him.  It 
was  his  misfortune  to  be  thrown  much  in  the  company  of 
associates,  by  whom  religion  was  denounced  as  fanaticism 
and  the  Bible  a  forgeiy.  The  poison  of  infidelity  was  soon 
infused  into  his  bosom,  so  that  the  early  age  of  fifteen  found 
him,  to  use  his  own  expression,  "a  rank  deist,"  disregarding, 
as  a  cunningly  devised  fable,  all  that  pious  parents  had 
taught  him.  But  the  same  word  which  arrests  the  flowing 
tide,  with  this  interdict,  "  Thus  far  shalt  thou  go  and  no 
farther,"  arrested  the  progress  of  evil  in  that  youthful 
heart.  His  outward  life  was  invariably  correct,  manly 
and  honorable.  No  mortal  ear  ever  heard  from  his  tongue 
an  oath,  a  lie,  or  an  obscene  word;  and  yet,  as  he  after- 
wards remarked  of  himself,  "  I  was  ripe  for  any  sin.  But 
I  was  still  preserved.  I  could  not  break  through  the 
restraints  which  were  upon  me.  The  eye  of  good  and  strict 
parents,  and  the  eye  of  a  better  God  were  upon  me."  "  In 
that  state  of  youthful  apostasy,"  he  remarked  upon  another 
occasion,  "  my  heavenly  Father  did  not  long  leave  me. 
Often  did  my  conscience  smart  under  the  pangs  of  guilt. 


MEMOIR.  11 

My  scepticism  could  not  bear  the  test  of  solitude,  but  it 
recoiled  upon  me  with  a  terrible  shock  in  the  lonely  walk 
and  hour  of  darkness."  A  providential  circumstance,  for 
so  we  are  compelled  to  regard  it,  just  at  this  time  threw  in 
his  way  a  copy  of  "  Jenkins  on  the  Truth  and  Certainty  of 
the  Christian  Religion,"  and  that  book  was  the  instrument 
for  "  dissipating  his  foolish  cavils,  and  of  establishing  him 
in  the  faith  of  the  Gospel." 

Deeper  convictions  of  guilt  now  grappled  with  his  con- 
science,— and  waters  of  a  bitter  cup  were  wrung  out  of 
him.  His  path  for  a  time  lay  through  clouds  and  thick 
darkness,  but  eventually  the  light  of  peace  and  joy  broke 
upon  his  mind,  and  he  felt  himself  called  upon  both  by  duty 
and  inclination,  publicly  to  arm  himself  on  the  Lord's 
side. 

Cloud  and  sunshine,  joy  and  sadness,  marked  many  of 
the  subsequent  years  of  his  Christian  life, — to  which  the  al- 
ternations of  hope  and  despondency,  respecting  his  entering 
the  ministry,  largely  contributed.  His  attention  had  first 
been  seriously  directed  to  this  subject  by  the  Rev.  Legh 
Richmond,  during  a  visit  to  his  father's  house  ; — and  soon 
it  became  the   mark  of  his   highest  and  holiest  ambition.* 

*  The  circumstances  which  introduced  Legh  Richmond  to  the  family  of  Mr. 
Jackson's  father,  are  somewhat  singular.  About  the  year  1807,  a  celebrated  im- 
postor arose  in  England  named  Ann  Moore,  but  most  commonly  known  as  "  The 
Fasting  Woman  of  Tutbury."  Appealing  to  her  capability  of  existing  without 
food  or  drink,  in  attestation  of  her  pretensions,  this  woman  claimed  to  be  an  espe- 
cial favorite  of  heaven,  and  a  messenger  of  God.  For  several  years,  her  story 
was  widely  credited  throughout  the  kingdom,  the  deepest  interest  was  every  where 
excited  in  her  case,  and  many  men  of  intelligence  and  professional  distinction, 
permitted  themselves  to  be  imposed  upon  by  her  pretensions.  Her  power  of  ab- 
staining from  food  was  too  easily  credited,  and  too  easily  believed  to  be  miraculous. 
The  evil  to  the  cause  of  true  religion  became  too  manifest,  not  to  excite  the  deepest 
solicitude  in  the  minds  of  Christian  people.     Accordingly  Legh  Richmond  came 


12  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

The  very  obstacles  which  appeared  to  lie  in  his  path,  only 
served  to  increase  the  strength  of  the  desire,  and  to  confirm 
the  fixedness  of  his  purpose,  and  yet  there  was  manifest 
the  most  sincere  desire  to  follow  whither  the  leadings  of 
God's  providence  should  conduct  him.  Some  unpretending 
lines,  which  were  written  about  this  time,  sufficiently  ex- 
hibit the  state  of  his  mind  upon  this  subject.  .  .  They 
are  transcribed  more  for  the  sentiment  than  for  the  poetry ; 
the  last  verse  especially,  as  expressive  of  that  sweet  and 
humble  acquiescence  in  the  allotments  of  God's  providence, 
which  every  laborer  in  His  vineyard  has  need  to  feel. 
They  are  headed — 

A  DESIRE  FOR  THE  MINISTRY. 
One  thing  have  I  desired, 

For  that  my  soul  shall  seek, 
A  breast  with  holy  zeal  inspir'd, 

A  mind  adorn'd  and  meek. 
An  understanding  large, 

Experience,  pure  and  deep, 
Then  from  my  God  a  sacred  charge, 

To  feed  his  chosen  sheep. 

I  lie  in  Jesus'  hand, 

Passive,  I  wait  his  will, 
Ready  to  run  at  his  command, 

At  his  command — stand  still. 

forward,  with  a  strong  arm,  determined  to  avert  the  evil,  byexposingthe  imposition. 
A  committee,  consisting  of  thirty-three  clergy  and  gentry,  of  which  Mr.  Jackson's 
father  was  one,  with  Sir  Oswald  Moseley  at  their  head,  was  appointed  to  investi- 
gate and  bring  to  light  the  facts  of  the  case.  The  woman  consented  to  the  watch, 
which  it  was  determined  to  place  upon  her.  All  nourishment  of  every  kind  was 
excluded  from  the  room  which  she  occupied,  but  finally  overcome  by  exhaustion, 
she  was  compelled  to  acknowledge  the  imposition.  During  the  period  of  this  inves- 
tigation, Mr.  Richmond  tarried  beneath  the  roof  of  Mr.  Jackson's  father,  and  there 
became  acquainted  with  him  in  his  early  youth,  and  seriously  urged  upon  his  con- 
sideration, the  question  respecting  his  entering  the  ministry. 

For  an  account  of  this  impostor,  see  Life  of  L.  Richmond,  chap.  10.     Goode's 
Book  of  Nature,  Lect.  12,  and  Dunglison's  Physiology. 


MEMOIR.  13 

To  the  bosom  glowing  with  youthful  zeal,  and  eager  for 
work  to  do  in  the  service  of  Christ,  it  is  a  bitter  trial  to  be 
laid  aside,  uncalled  for,  or  thrust  back  by  opposing  dif- 
ficulties ; — and  when  in  the  ministry  to  be  allotted  to  some 
narrow  corner  of  the  vineyard,  with  scarce  scope  enough 
for  the  full  play  of  its  energies  : — but  let  that  be  his  maxim, 

"  Ready  to  run  at  his  command, 
At  his  command  stand  still." 

Remembering  always  that  station  can  never  confer 
character  ;  that  labors  are  not  to  be  measured  by  their  re- 
sults, so  much  as  by  the  manner  in  which  they  have  been 
performed  ;  that  they  who  "  stand  and  wait,"  as  effectually 
accomplish  God's  purposes,  as  those  who  are  commissioned 
to  the  achievement  of  His  glorious  purposes  ;  and  that  all 
His   appointments  are  in  wisdom  and  in  love. 

The  difficulties  which,  to  Mr.  Jackson's  eye,  obstructed 
his  entrance  into  the  ministry,  were  imaginary  rather  than 
real  :  and  yet  they  served  to  test  his  sincerity,  to  prove  the 
steadfastness  of  his  purpose,  and,  eventually,  to  prepare 
him  for  the  sacred  work.  God  may  often  determine  to  bestow 
blessing,  but  He  chooses  his  own  time.  Delays  are  not 
denials;  and  if  he  bestows  not  the  good  which  we  desire, 
as  soon  as  we  could  wish,  it  is  because  some  greater 
good  is  to  be  accomplished  by  witholding  than  by  giving. 
"  Clouds  of  difficulties," — says  a  fragment  of  his  diary, — 
"  seemed  to  intervene  between  me  and  my  desired  object. 
I  thought  I  was  too  young  to  judge  rightly  upon  so  import- 
ant a  subject,  and  that  my  desires  arose  from  improper 
motives.  Accordingly  I  made  up  my  mind  to  relinquish 
my  studies,  and  wrote  to  Mr.  Hutchinson,  informing  him, 
for  the  first  time,  of  the  hopes  I  had  cherished,  stated  the 
difficulties,  and  my  determination  to  forbear  the  pursuit. 
He  wrote  to  me  encouraging  me  to  persevere,  and  that  he 


14  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

doubted  not  my  way  would  be  made  plain.  I  opened  my 
mind  to  several  ministerial  friends,  who  all  gave  me  en- 
couragement which  I  was  willing  to  take.  Many  times  I 
endeavored  to  stifle  my  desires,  (God  grant  it  may  not  be 
laid  to  my  charge,  by  Him  from  whom  all  holy  desires 
do  proceed,)  but  they  always  returned  with  redoubled 
vigor." 

In  this  hour  of  perplexity  he  addressed  the  following  let- 
ter to  his  mother,  whom  he  venerated,  in  which  he  exhibts 
his  present  state  of  feeling,  and  his  filial  deference  to  her 
superior  age  and  wisdom  : — • 

"  Tutbury,  July,  1812. 
"  My  Dear  Mother, 

"  I  scarce  know  how  to  open  the  subject  upon  which 
duty  and  necessity  require  that  I  should  consult  you.  '  Oh  ! 
that  I  had  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer,'  that  I  might  give  it 
its  due  weight.  Were  I  addressing  a  parent  who  was  a 
stranger  to  the  inestimable  value  of  the  Gospel,  who  never 
frequented  a  throne  of  grace,  who  had  no  eye  to  Providence, 
and  whose  affections  clave  to  the  things  of  this  world,  des- 
pair rather  than  hope  would  have  possession  of  my  mind. 
But  I  hope  better  things  of  you,  my  dear  mother,  and  doubt 
not  you  will  make  what  I  have  to  say  a  matter  of  earnest 
prayer,  that  we  may  neither  of  us  act  indiscreetly  or  con- 
trary to  the  will  of  divine  Providence.  However  my  de- 
sires may  at  first  meet  with  your  disapprobation,  or  may  be 
esteemed  by  you  worse  than  madness,  yet,  I  beseech  you, 
consider  attentively  what  I  have  to  say,  and  after  having 
laid  it  before  God,  I  cannot  but  believe  you  will  think  dif- 
ferently of  it.  If  it  should  meet  your  decided  opposition,  I 
shall  feel  it  my  duty  to  act  conformably  to  your  will,  and 
shall  regard  it  as  an  evidence  that  Providence  frustrates 
my  designs.     But  oh  !  my  dear  mother,  beware  lest  you 


MEMOIR.  15 

should  be  found  fighting  against  God — beware   lest  you 
should  hinder  the  cause  of  Christ.     Unless  you  are  aware, 
as  I  think  you  are,  what  are  my  inclinations,  you  will  no 
doubt  wonder  what  all  this  can  mean.     Without  further 
preface  therefore  let  me  state  the  case.     After  it  had  pleas- 
ed God  to  call  me  by  His  grace,  out  of  nature's  darkness 
to  the  great  and  marvellous  light  of  the  gospel — marvellous 
indeed  hath  it  been  to  me  ! — my  heart's  desire  and  earnest 
prayer  was,  and  has  been  ever  since,  that  I  might  have  the 
spirit  within  me  "  perfecting  me  for  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try, for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ."     My  prayers  as 
yet  appear  ineffectual,   and  nothing  in  Providence  has  yet 
transpired  to  direct  my  course  either  way,  except  that  I  feel 
increasing  zeal  and  stronger  confidence,  that  in  His  own 
good  time   God   will  open  the  way.     Many  a  time  have  I 
checked  my  presumption,  as  I  then  thought  it,  and  pre- 
sumption it  must  be,  did  the   success  of  the  undertaking 
depend  on  the  sufficiency  of  the  creature.     A  cloud  of  dif- 
ficulties appeared  at  once  in  view,  and  still  continues,  or  I 
should  have  communicated  with  you  sooner.     Were  I  not 
well  assured  that  the  governance  and  ordering  of  all  things 
are  in  the  hands  of  a  Supreme  Being,  I  should  despair  of 
ultimate  success  ;  but  believing  this,  however  cloudy  Pro- 
vidence may  appear  at  present,  I  cannot  doubt  that  He  will 
yet  bring  me  by  a  way  that  I  have  not  known. 
Indeed  I  cannot,  nor  do  I  think  I  ever  can,  wholly  relinquish 
the  desire,  unless  a  sense  of  duty  to  the  manifest  calls  of 
Providence  shall  compel  me  to  it.     It  is  impossible  for  me 
to  know  certainly  the  divine  will  in  this  matter  without  con- 
sulting you,  and  I  trust  3^our  advice  will  prove  to  be  the 
dictate  of  a  higher  power. 

"  My  dear  parent,  I  am  well  aware  of  some  of  the  objec- 
tions you  will  raise.     You  will  say  that  1  cannot  possibly 


16  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

be  spared  from  the  business,*  and  that  it  cannot  be  carried 
on  without  me.  But  what !  my  dearest  mother,  cannot  the 
"Lord  be  better  to  you  than  ten  sons"  ?  Has  He  said  it 
and  shall  He  not  do  it  ?  If  He  has  designed  me  for  this 
great  work,  and  you  should  prove  a  stumbling-block  in  the 
way,  may  I  not  prove  a  curse  to  you  rather  than  a  blessing  ? 
Remember  how  the  anger  of  the  Lord  was  kindled  against 
the  Philistines  when  they  detained  the  Ark  of  the  Lord. 
Are  you  unwilling  to  make  a  sacrifice  so  small  ?  Look  at 
the  example  of  Abraham,  which  was  recorded  for  our  ad- 
monition, perhaps  in  this  very  matter.  He  was  commanded 
to  sacrifice  Isaac  ;  he  does  not  urge  the  great  things  that 
depended  upon  the  life  of  his  son,  but  immediately  obe}'S  the 
word  of  the  Lord  ;  and  though  it  seemed  to  threaten  him 
with  unbearable  truths,  yea,  even  to  frustrate  the  promises 
of  God,  he  hastened  to  do  it.  And  mark  how  in  the  end  it 
proved  to  be  the  bringing  down  of  fresh  blessings  on  his 
hoary  head.  Remember,  too,  the  name  the  Patriarch  gave 
the  place  "Jehovah  Jireh,"  "The  Lord  will  provide."  And 
who  can  tell  but  that  the  very  event  which  you  think  would 
tend  to  heighten  your  difficulties,  may  prove  a  very  blessing, 
for  the  Lord  never  calls  upon  His  people  to  make  a  sacrifice 
but  He  pays  them  double  for  it.  Does  my  dear  mother 
pray,  "  Thy  kingdom  come,"  and  will  she  not  make  the 
least  sacrifice  for  it?  Does  she  "pray  the  Lord  of  the 
harvest  to  send  more  laborers  into  His  vineyard,"  and  will 
she  not  suffer  her  son  to  go  and  work  ?  Does  she  com- 
plain that  our  churches  are  so  void  of  Gospel  preachers, 
and  would  she  prevent  a  most  unworthy  one,  to  whom  I 
trust  is  given  a  manifestation  of  the  spirit,  from  proclaiming 
"  Glad  tidings  of  great  joy,  liberty  to  the  captive,  and  the 

*  The  supervision  of  an  extensive  manufactory,  now  by  the  death  of  his  father 
devolving  upon  himself  and  an  elder  brother. 


MEMOIR.  17 

opening  of  the  prison  to  them  that  are  bound  ?  "  Can  she 
bear  to  see  so  many  fellow-immortals  perishing  in  their  sins, 
and  so  few  to  warn  them  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come  ? 
Can  she  bear  to  hear  them  crying,  "  What  must  I  do  to  be 
saved,"  and  so  few  to  direct  them  to  Christ  ?  Can  she  bear 
to  see  so  many  perishing  for  lack  of  knowledge,  with  none 
to  direct  them  in  the  right  way  ?  Consider,  my  dear  mo- 
ther, the  value  of  their  souls  to  themselves,  to  God,  to  the 
Church,  to  yourself,  and  T  am  persuaded  you  must  think 
favorably  of  my  request. 

"  My  dear  mother,  I  have  felt  it  my  duty  thus  frankly  to 
lay  open  my  feelings  to  you,  and  to  beg  your  most  serious 
consideration  of  this  important  subject.  If  Providence  shall 
frustrate  my  designs  I  am  willing  to  submit,  but  I  cannot 
think  He  will.  These  are  not  the  desires  of  a  few  hasty 
moments,  but  have  been  the  subject  of  much  prayer,  reflec- 
tion and  conversation.  They  do  not  arise  from  discontent, 
for  I  would  not  change  places  with  any  man  in  the  world?" 
unless  it  were  for  the  glory  of  God.  No  man  is  more  happy 
than  I  am  in  every  respect. 

"  That  the  Lord  may  direct  and  influence  us  both,  is 
the  earnest  prayer,  my  dearest  mother,  of 

"Your  affectionate,  faithful  son, 

"  W.  Jackson." 

For  some  reason  his  mother  did  not  see  fit  to  reply  to 
this  letter  ; — probably  she  felt  unwilling  to  assume  the  res- 
ponsibility of  advising  him  at  the  present  time, — especially 
as  he  devolved  it  entirely  upon  herself. 

In  consequence  of  his  mother's  silence  and  his  own  mis- 
givings, he  relinguished,  as  he  thought,  forever,  the  dearest 
desire  of  his  heart.  Imagine  a  youthful  bosom  bereft  of  its 
most  fondly  cherished  hope,  weeping  over  the  disappoint- 
ment of  his  dearest  anticipations — that  was  the  sad  condi- 


18  Remains  of  the  rev.    wm.  jackson. 

tion  of  his.  "  Nothing,"  he  says,  "  seemed  to  go  well  with 
me  ;  my  soul  languished,  and  the  good  seemed  to  have 
failed  me  in  all  things.  I  still,  however,  continued  to  wait 
upon  God  in  my  poor  way.  Thus  I  passed  a  tedious  win- 
ter; but  the  returning  spring  brought  with  it  brighter  days  ; 
old  hopes,  old  desires,  old  inclinations  and  old  resolutions 
returned."  In  his  Diary  for  August  10,  1815,  there  is  the 
following  record.  "  This  night,  after  attending  the  monthly 
meeting  to  hear  the  missionary  accounts,  and  feeling  my 
heart  warmed  by  them  with  missionary  zeal,  I  found  cour- 
age to  communicate  to  my  dear  mother  for  the  first  time, 
personally,  my  intentions.  I  thank  my  God,  she  received 
it  apparently  very  well,  and  only  expressed  that  reluctance 
which  a  tender  mother  naturally  would  feel,  in  the  pros- 
pect of  separating  for  ever,  in  this  world,  from  her  child. 
The  way  opens  and  the  view  brightens  ;  may  my  zeal  in- 
crease, and  may  I  be  made  daily  more  fit  for  the  work  by 
a  continually  deepening  heart-knowledge  of  the  truths  I 
would  communicate." 

But  the  great  question  with  him  was  not  yet  decided. 
His  mind  continued  in  the  same  unsettled  state, — fluctuat- 
ing between  an  anxious  desire  for  the  sacred  work  and  a 
total  abandonment  of  the  idea.  In  the  Spring  of  1817,  an 
elder  brother,  who  had  been  on  a  visit  to  England  returned 
to  America,  and  Mr.  Jackson  was  induced  to  accompany 
him.  During  this  visit,  the  cloud  which  had  so  long  hung 
over  him  disappeared.  The  wide  field  of  usefulness  which 
this  growing  country  presented — and  the  great  demand  for 
laborers  to  cultivate  it, — permitted  him  no  longer  to  halt 
and  doubt.  He  felt  that  his  work  was  here.  The  field  was 
white  to  the  harvest  and  he  could  no  longer  vacillate.  Ac- 
cordingly the  Fall  of  the  following  year  found  him  pursuing 


MEMOIR.  19 

his  studies  under  the  Rev.  Mr.  Henshaw,  his  friend  and 
pastor,  who  had  just  been  called  to  the  rectorship  of  St. 
Peter's  Church,  Baltimore. 

Shortly  before  his  ordination  his  Diary  says, — 

"  April  29th  1820.  Notwithstanding  all,  how  kind  has 
Providence  been  to  me  !  Many  things  have  appeared  to  me 
a  tangled  maze,  yet  His  wisdom  and  goodness  unravel  the 
whole.  I  think  I  may  say,  the  things  which  have  happened 
unto  me  have  fallen  out  to  the  furtherance  of  my  cause.  If 
the  kindness  of  my  God,  in  leading  me  to  this  long  desired 
work,  be  any  pledge  of  His  blessing  upon  my  labors,  it 
will  be  my  happiness  to  number  many  souls  in  my  crown 
of  rejoicing." 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  God  throws  difficulties  in  the 
way  of  some,  whom  He  intends  to  honor  as  His  ministers, 
in  order  to  try  their  sincerity,  and  to  prove  the  vigor  and 
steadfastness  of  their  zeal.  And  most  wisely  does  he  adapt 
those  difficulties  to  the  condition,  the  circumstances,  and 
the  disposition  of  those  whom  He  intends  to  prepare  for 
this  work  ; — and  we  doubt  not,  that  those  who  have  been 
called  to  encounter  these  obstacles,  in  their  way  to  the 
Gospel  ministry,  regard  them  as  a  most  important  part  of 
their  training  for  its  duties. 

May  12,  1820,  two  days  before  his  ordination,  he 
writes  : — "  I  am  utterly  astonished  when  I  think  upon  such  a 
treasure  as  the  Gospel  being  committed  to  such  an  one  as 
myself.  It  almost  terrifies  me  when  I  think  of  the  awful  res- 
ponsibility which  lies  upon  an  ambassador  for  Christ : — that 
he  has  not  only  to  watch  for  his  own  soul,  but  for  the  souls 
of  others, — not  only  to  account  for  himself  but  for  others, — 
and  if  the  people  err  through  his  misguidance,  it  will  be  re- 
quired at  his  hands.    '  Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?  '  " 


20  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    Wlf.    JACKSON. 

May  14th,  1S20,  he  was  ordained  to  the  Diaconate,  by 
the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Moore,  of  Virginia,  in  St.  Paul's 
Church,  Alexandria,  D.C. 

Soon  after  his  ordination  he  was  called  to  the  rectorship 
of  St.  George's  Parish,  Havre  de  Grace,  Maryland.  During 
his  ministry  of  two  years  in  this  place,  he  was  permitted  to 
see  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  in  the  revival  of  the  parish, 
and  in  the  edification  of  those  committed  to  his  charge.  At 
the  expiration  of  this  period,  when  ordained  priest,  he  was 
invited  to  the  rectorship  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Chester 
Town,  on  the  Eastern  shore.  "  The  rectorship  of  that 
Parish,"  says  Bishop  Henshaw,  "  had  been  filled  by  a  suc- 
cession of  old  men,  such  as  Smith,  Kewley,  Turner,  and 
Wilmer.  But  Mr.  Jackson  was  rapidly  growing  in  intellec- 
tual power  and  professional  ability.  With  a  steady  zeal 
which  no  discouragements  could  abate,  and  a  patient  indus- 
try which  knew  no  relaxation,  he  devoted  himself  to  the  va- 
rious duties  of  his  high  calling.  His  sound  and  well  balanced 
mind  commanded  the  respect  of  the  most  intelligent,  and 
his  humble  and  unostentatious  piety,  the  reverence  of  the 
most  thoughtless  ;  while  his  benevolent  activity  as  a  pastor, 
and  his  attractive  powers  as  a  preacher,  increased  the 
number  of  his  flock,  so  that  under  his  ministrations  the 
parish  acquired  a  degree  of  prosperity  higher,  probably,  than 
it  had  ever  reached  under  the  most  distinguished  of  his  pre- 
decessors. His  parochial  connection  in  Chester  Town,  was 
one  of  the  most  agreeable  that  can  be  conceived  of.  He 
often  spoke  of  it  with  warm  gratitude  ;  and  no  doubt,  many 
who  now  enjoy  the  permanent  fruits  which  by  God's  bles- 
sing resulted  from  it,  will  cherish  his  memory  with  fond 
affection.     During  his  few  years  residence  on  the  Eastern 


MEMOIR.  21 

shore  of  Maryland,  he  was  constantly  acquiring  an  increas- 
ing influence  in  the  Diocese,  and  was  more  than  once  elect- 
ed a  member  of  the  Standing  Committee. 

Early  in  the  year  1827  he  was  called  to  the  rectorship 
of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Alexandria,  D.  C,  which  had  been 
vacated  by  the  removal  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wilmer  to  the  Pre- 
sidency of  William  and  Mary  College.  In  this  new  posi- 
tion he  soon  won  the  affection  and  confidence  of  his  large 
congregation,  became  highly  popular  as  a  preacher,  and  his 
assiduous  labors  were  crowned  with  eminent  usefulness 
and  success." 

More  than  once  did  the  congregation  give  evidence  of 
more  than  ordinary  interest  in  spiritual  things.  Who  of  that 
flock  indeed,  what  episcopalian  of  that  city  will  forget  the 
Spring  and  Summer  of  1831  ? 

In  the  month  of  May,  during  Mr.  J.'s  absence  at  the  Con- 
vention in  Norfolk,  the  deepest  seriousness  was  manifested 
at  one  of  the  stated  meetings  of  prayer.  The  services  on 
that  occasion,  in  the  lecture-room  of  St.  Paul's,  were  con- 
ducted by  two  beloved  brethren  of  the  seminary,  who  in 
their  exhortations,  urgently  enforced  upon  the  crowded  as- 
sembly, the  importance  of  prayer  for  the  outpouring  of  the 
Spirit.  For  two  months  this  seriousness  appeared  to  in- 
crease;  no  other  than  the  ordinary  means  of  gi ace  being 
resorted  to, — viz.,  the  Sunday  services  and  the  weekly  lec- 
tures. The  congregation  of  Christ  Church,  then  under  the 
pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Mann,  equally  shared 
with  St.  Paul's  this  blessing  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  The 
two  congregations  mingled  their  prayers  and  praises,  and 
the  two  pastors  delightfully  co-operated  in  their  Master's 
work.  None  will  forget  the  services  of  that  Summer.  The 
lecture  rooms  were  invariablv  crowded,    and  the  students 


22  REMAINS    OF     THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

from    the  seminary,    finding  it  good  to  be  there,   availed 
themselves  of  every  opportunity  of  attending. 

All  hearts  grew  warmer  and  warmer.  The  duty  of 
prayer  for  God's  blessing  on  the  Church,  was  continually 
kept  before  the  people, — nor  was  it  without  effect.  Man}'  a 
fervent  supplication,  we  doubt  not,  arose  from  the  people  of 
the  two  congregations,  and  God,  in  infinite  goodness,  deter- 
mined speedily  to  return  the  answer. 

In  the  month  of  July,  the  annual  examination  of  the 
students  at  the  seminary  and  the  ordination  of  the  senior 
class  took  place.  That  occasion  drew  together  numbers 
of  the  surrounding  clergy  ; — and  the  rectors  of  the  i  w 
churches,  determined  to  avail  themselves  of  it,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  holding  extra  service.  These  were  conducted  eh. 
by  the  late  Dr.  Bedell,  and  the  present  Bishop  of  Rhode 
Island  ;  the  latter  of  whom  preached  the  ordination  sermon 
on  the  morning  of  the  Sabbath.  St.  Paul's  was  crowded  to 
overflowing.  In  the  evening,  the  candidates  for  confirma- 
tion, forty-five  in  number,  gathered  around  the  chancel  of 
the  same  church.  It  was  a  sight  on  which  angels  must  have 
delighted  to  gaze.  All  hearts  that  night  were  lifted  up  in 
thanks  to  God,  for  his  gracious  manifestations.  But  how 
did  every  bosom  swell  with  increasing  gratitude  when, 
towards  the  close  of  the  succeeding  day,  (Monday,)  it  was 
known  that  numbers  of  others  had  applied  to  their  respec- 
tive pastors  to  be  admitted  to  the  rite  of  confirmation  before 
the  departure  of  our  venerable  bishop.  It  was  accordingly 
determined  to  protract  the  services  until  Wednesday,  the 
clerg}*  continuing  their  attendance,  until  not  less  than  thirty 
had  been  counted.  On  the  evening  of  that  day,  St.  Paul's 
was  again  crowded  to  overflowing,  and  at  the  same  chancel, 
where,  but  four  days  before,  forty-five  persons  had  knelt  to 


MEMOIR.  23 

renew  their  baptismal  vows,  forty-five  others  were  seen, 
crowding  around  to  perform  the  same  solemn  obligation. 
There  was  no  excitement  during  all  this  time.  A  deep  solem- 
nity pervaded  the  congregation.  No  new  measures  were  re- 
sorted to.  The  simple  preaching  of  the  Word,  accompanied 
by  prayer,  was  the  means  of  gathering  in  the  harvest, 
where  the  stated  pastors  had  so  faithfully  sown. 

During  his  residence  in  Alexandria,  Mr.  Jackson  was 
enabled  to  co-operate  with  energy  in  the  various  benevo- 
lent institutions  of  the  Church,  but  from  his  connection  with 
the  "  Society  for  the  Education  of  Pious  Young  Men  to 
the  Ministry,"  and  the  Theological  Seminary  of  Virginia, 
his  chief  energies  were  enlisted  on  their  behalf.  In  both 
these  institutions  he  ever  felt  the  liveliest  interest,  nor  did 
it  in  the  least  degree  abate  to  the  last  hour  of  his  life. 

In  the  Spring  of  1832,  he  was  called  to  sunder  the  tie 
which  united  him  so  closely  to  his  flock  in  Alexandria,  and 
to  the  whole  Virginia  diocese.  In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  after 
describing  the  delightful  services  of  the  convention,  which 
had  just  closed  its  session  in  Alexandria,  he  says:  "You 
will  be  sorry  to  learn  that  a  circumstance  occurred  which 
well  nigh  deprived  me  of  the  pleasure  of  the  above  exer- 
cises. Just  before  the  Convention  met,  I  received  another 
communication  respecting  St.  Stephen's  Church,  New  York, 
containing  a  flattering  call  to  the  rectorship  of  that  Church. 
It  would  intrude  itself  when  it  ought  not.  Immediately 
after  our  meeting,  a  delegation  from  there  came  on  to  see 
me.  All  my  brethren,  out  of  Virginia,  thought  it  my  duty 
to  go,  and  urged  very  strong  reasons,  the  force  of  which  I 
was  compelled  to  admit.  You  will  readily  conceive  that 
my  mind  was  much,  very  much  perplexed ; — after  much 
thought  and  prayer  however,  I  replied  in  the  negative 


24  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM,     JACKSON. 

trust  there  has  been  no  selfishness,  no  shrinking  from  labor 
and  sacrifices,  no  fear  of  man  to  influence  my  decision.  You 
will  see  at  least  that  we  are  not  eager  to  leave  Alexandria. 
"  Since  writing  the  above,  another  communication  has 
been  handed  me  from  St.  Stephen's  ;  I  have  neither  time  nor 
spirits  to  enter  into  the  particulars  of  its  contents; — suffice 
it  to  say,  that  as  before  I  dared  not  accept  their  call,  now 
it  is  backed  by  so  many  arguments,  from  several  quarters 
deserving  consideration,  that  I  have  not  courage  to  refuse." 
#  #  #  # 

In  his  farewell  sermon  he  remarks — "  My  dear  hearers, 
I  do  in  the  sincerity  of  my  soul,  believe  that  the  hand  of 
God  beckons  me  awa}'.  If  I  had  sought  the  change — if 
personal  friends  had  effected  it,  and  the  well-wishers  of  our 
Zion  had  dissuaded,  I  should  not  dare  to  move  one  step. 
But  when  the  contrary  is  the  fact — when  strdngers  whose 
faces  I  know  not  seek  me,  when  so  many  of  the  best  and 
wisest,  and  most  disinterested  say,  '  Go,'  when  their  advice 
is  backed  by  weighty  reasons,  reasons  drawn  from  the  ge- 
neral good  of  the  Church,  I  dare  not  refuse.  I  dare  not  allow 
a  peaceful,  happy  diocese,  most  ardently  beloved  bishops, 
delightful  associations,  an  affectionate  and  kind  people,  to 
detain  me.  When  God  calls,  with  the  Patriarch,  I  would 
leave  all  and  go  to  the  place  which  He  shows  me ;  and 
like  him,  I  would  go  in  faith,  believing  that  it  is  for  good 
to  me  ;  for  good  to  those  to  whom  I  go,  and  for  good  to  you 
my  beloved  brethren,  from  whom  I  go,  and  from  whom  I 
would  not  go,  did  I  not  think  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
would  have  it  so." 

St.  Stephen's,  although  it  had  been  successively  favored 
with  the  ministrations  of  Bp.  Moore,  Dr.  Feltus,  Dr.  Anthon, 


MEMOIR.  25 

and  Dr.  Hawks,  was  now,  from  a  concurrence  of  adverse 
circumstances,  in  a  state  of  great  depression.  The  congrega- 
tion was  scattered  and  divided ;  the  Sunday  school  broken 
up;  so  that  it  was  truly  the  collecting  together  of  a  dispersed 
flock,  and  the  recommencing  of  every  good  work  among 
them  ;  bat  when  in  the  Spring  of  1837,  he  relinquished  it 
for  his  field  of  labor  in  the  west,  he  left  it  thriving,  prosper- 
ous and  united  ;  a  full  church,  a  flourishing  Sunday  school, 
and  every  means  of  usefulness  and  Christian  benevolence 
in  active  operation.  In  this  congregation  his  efforts  were 
nobly  seconded  and  sustained  by  a  small  band  of  devoted, 
praying  and  \vorking  Christians  ;  some  of  them,  probably, 
the  fruit  of  Bishop  Moore's  memorable  labors  among  them. 
For  these,  Mr.  Jackson  ever  retained  the  warmest  friend- 
ship. Of  this  number,  was  the  excellent  and  lamented  Dr. 
Willet,  whose  name  recalls  to  the  mind  of  all  who  knew 
him,  an  embodiment  of  the  most  lovely  Christian  graces. 

On  his  return  from  a  delightful  visit  to  England,  in  1837, 
in  consequence  of  much  public  speaking  after  having  con- 
tracted a  cold,  that  affection  of  his  throat  and  voice  first 
made  its  appearance,  which  afterwards  frequently  threat- 
ened such  serious  consequences.  On  this  account  his 
friend  Dr.  Willett  gave  his  consent  to  his  removal  to  the 
more  congenial  climate  of  Kentucky.  On  his  way  to  his 
new  field  of  labor,  a  circumstance  occurred,  which  tended 
greatly  to  strengthen  his  faith,  while  it  deeply  affected  his 
heart.  He  had  been  advised,  and  he  felt  it  important  to 
cease  altogether  from  preaching,  after  relinquishing  his 
charge  in  New-York,  until  he  entered  upon  that  in  Louis- 
ville,— this  he  attempted  to  do,  but  in  visiting  among  his 
old  friends  at  the  East,  previous  to  his  departure,  it  seemed 
impossible  for  him  to  resist  their  solicitations  to  preach  at 


2b  REMAINb    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

least  one  sermon  in  each  place.  The  consequence  was,  that 
when  he  reached  Ohio,  his  voice  was  entirely  gone,  so  that 
for  a  week  or  two  he  could  not  speak  above  a  whisper. 
This  was  a  dark  cloud  in  his  path,  overshadowing  all  the 
bright  prospects  of  proclaiming  the  Gospel  in  the  great 
valley  of  the  west.  He  was  well  persuaded  that  a  father's 
love  was  in  it;  but  what  it  might  portend  for  his  future  use- 
fulness he  knew  not.  In  writing  to  friends  in  New  York, 
allusion  was  made  to  these  darkened  prospects,  and  by 
the  time  he  reached  Louisville,  no  less  than  three  different 
proposals  reached  him,  from  those  authorized  to  make 
them,  to  fill  important  posts  of  usefulness,  which  would  give 
entire  rest  of  voice.  He  was  greatly  overcome  by  this 
fresh  instance  of  the  great  goodness  of  God  in  blessing  him 
with  friends  indeed,  who,  if  one  door  of  usefulness  should  be 
closed,  stood  ready,  as  instruments  in  His  hands,  for  opening 
others. 

It  was  from  a  conscientious  sense  of  duty  that  Mr.  Jack- 
son was  induced  to  remove  so  far  from  his  early  friends 
and  associations.  The  ties  which  bound  him  to  the  scenes 
of  his  former  ministry,  and  the  many  sweet  friendships  which 
had  grown  up  wherever  his  lot  had  hitherto  been  cast,  ren- 
dered this  removal  to  the  west  a  trial  which  none  can 
realize,  but  those  who  have  been  called  to  experience  the 
same. 

Shortly  after  his  removal  to  Louisville,  and  mainly  through 
his  instrumentality,  the  erection  of  the  noble  edifice  of  St. 
Paul's,  which  had  been  commenced,  but  abandoned  on 
account  of  the  derangement  of  the  financial  concerns  of  the 
country,  was  again  undertaken,  and  Mr.  Jackson  had  the 
great  gratification  of  contemplating  in  one  of  the  most  im- 
posing specimens  of  church  architecture  beyond  the  moun- 


MEMOIR.  27 

tains,  and  in  a  Christian  temple  which  would  have  done 
credit  to  any  of  the  Atlantic  states,  the  zeal  and  liberality 
of  the  people  to  whom  he  ministered. 

In  his  first  sermon,  preached  in  St.  Paul's,  he  says  : 

"It  is  with  no  ordinary  feelings  of  pleasure  and  gratitude 
to  God,  that  we  review  the  rise  and  progress  of  this  edifice, 
and  the  formation  of  this  new  congregation.  As  no  noise 
of  hammer  or  axe  was  heard  in  the  temple — so,  all  here 
has  been  marked  with  peace  and  harmony.  Seldom  does 
the  history  of  a  parish  present  a  more  beautiful  specimen 
of  division  without  discord.  Usually  places  of  worship  are 
multiplied  through  strife — to  the  dishonor  of  our  nature,  and 
not  of  our  religion,  be  it  said — but  in  this  instance,  we 
believe  it  to  have  been  from  a  sincere  desire  to  extend  the 
influence  of  true  religion,  and  lengthen  the  cords  of  our 
Zion,  which  are  '  Beauty  and  Bands.' 

"  Those  who  have  been  fellow-worshippers  with  us,  but 
who,  for  various  reasons,  remain  in  the  old  sanctuary,  have, 
we  believe,  wished  us  God-speed;  and  our  prayer  is,  that 
their  hive  may  speedily  be  so  replenished,  that  they  may 
send  forth  another  colony  as  strong  as  this.  May  peace 
and  prosperity  be  within  our  respective  walls  ;  and  may 
Christ  Church  and  St.  Paul's  be  one,  as  Christ  and  Paul 
were  one,  that  all  the  passers-by  may  see,  that  we  are 
intimately  united  branches  of  one  Catholic  and  Apostolic 
Church." 

The  labors  of  Mr.  Jackson,  during  his  residence  in  the 
west,  were  crowned  with  the  happiest  success.  From  the 
large  number  of  strangers  by  whom  Louisville  was  contin- 
ually visited,  and  from  the  almost  daily  intercourse  between 
that  city  and  every  part  of  the  south  and  south-west,  and 
from  the  attractive  beauty  of  the  church  of  St.  Paul's,  and 


28  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

the  still  more  attractive  eloquence  of  its  pulpit,  by  which 
strangers  were  drawn  hither  on  the  Sabbath ;  the  word  of 
the  Gospel  which  was  there  proclaimed,  excited  an  influence 
far  beyond  the  bounds  of  that  congregation.  But  within 
the  limits  of  his  own  fold,  Mr.  Jackson  found  every  thing 
to  comfort  and  cheer  a  pastor's  heart.  There  was  nothing 
which  could  have  induced  him  to  sever  the  tie  which  united 
him  to  that  devoted  people,  unless  indeed  it  were  some 
absolute  necessity,  or  some  imperious  call  of  duty  which  be 
dare  not  disobey.  When  he  was  earnestly  solicited  to 
permit  his  name  to  be  pressed  for  the  Episcopate  of 
Indiana,  he  most  warmly  discouraged  the  idea ;  and  it 
was  his  wish,  expressed  more  than  once,  that  "  rather  than 
be  called  to  the  thankless  and  self-denying  duties  of  a 
western  bishop,  he  would  pray  that  he  might  first  be 
taken  to  his  Master's  more  immediate  service  in  heaven." 
That  event  was  nearer  than  his  most  watchful  friends  an- 
ticipated. 

During  a  visit  to  Cincinnati,  whither  he  had  gone  in  the 
month  of  November,  1843,  to  attend  the  first  semi-annual 
meeting  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  and  by  the  request 
of  the  Board  in  New  York,  to  deliver  an  address  on  the 
occasion,  he  contracted  a  severe  cold,  from  which  he  never 
after  entirely  recovered.  His  labors  from  that  time,  though 
in  much  bodily  weakness,  were  in  undiminished  faithful- 
ness and  zeal. 

During  the  winter  he  had  been  delivering  a  course  of 
sermons  on  the  3d  chapter  of  Proverbs  ; — the  last  four  he 
ever  preached  being  from  the  17th  verse,  "  Her  wa}^s  are 
wa}'s  of  pleasantness."  The  congregation  of  St.  Paul's 
love  to  dwell  upon  them,  not  only  as  a  delightful  subject, 
most  strikingly  and  feelingly  enforced,  but  as  peculiarly 


MEMOIR.  29 

appropriate  for  the  last  words  of  one,  whose  whole  life  had 

so  remarkably  illustrated  their  truth.  The  ways  of  wisdom, 

which  in  earlv  life,  he  had  been  led  to  choose,  were  most 

* 
emphatically  to  him  "  ways  of  pleasantness  and  paths   of 

peace."  The  continued  feebleness  of  voice  arising  from 
the  affection  of  his  throat  had  led  him  seriously  to  appre- 
hend a  long,  if  not  an  entire  relinquishment  of  his  minis- 
terial labors.  He  continued  however  to  toil  on  with  such 
strength  as  he  possessed. 

On  the  evening  of  Thursday,  Feb.  15th  1844, — the  day 
preceding  that  on  which  he  was  attacked  by  that  fatal 
blow  from  which  he  never  recovered — he  was  on  a  social 
visit  to  one  of  his  parishioners.  In  the  course  of  conversa- 
tion, some  remarks  were  made  on  the  silly  and  superstitious 
idea  that  the  morrow,  Friday,  was  an  unlucky  day — "I 
have  always  been  surprised,"  said  he,  "that  superstition 
should  have  selected  that  day  as  unlucky.  To  me  it  is  the 
best  day  of  the  week,  next  to  the  Lord's  Day.  I  always  think 
of  it  as  Good  Friday  ;  the  day  on  which  the  greatest  good 
was  accomplished  for  our  sin-ruined  world.  If  I  regarded 
days  in  this  way  at  all,  I  would  sooner  select  than  avoid 
Friday,  for  undertaking  any  great  work." 

Viewed  in  connection  with  the  events  which  followed, 
these  remarks  might  almost  appear  ominous  ; — for  on  the 
following  day,  Friday,  the  mortal  arrow  struck  his  frame 
and  arrested  his  labors.  On  the  Friday  of  the  succeeding 
week,  he  entered  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord.  During  the 
whole  of  the  intervening  time  he  was  speechless, though 
not  entirely  insensible.  The  painful  anxiety  and  the 
agonizing  state  of  suspense,  in  which  that  most  devoted 
people  were  kept  during  the  whole  of  this  time,  may  be 
more  easily  imagined  than  described.  On  Sunday  prayers 
were  offered  up  for  his  recovery,  and  affectionate  allusions 


30  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

to  his  illness,  in  their  sermons  by  the  ministers  of  the  Epis- 
copal, Presbyterian,  Methodist  and  Roman  Catholic 
churches  of  the  city,  and  that  without  any  solicitation  or 
suggestion  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Jackson's  friends.  Four 
young  men,  the  fruits  of  his  ministry,  who  were  pursuing 
their  studies  preparatory  to  the  ministry,  at  Shelby  College, 
came  down  to  attend  at  the  sick  bed  of  their  spiritual  father. 
Two  of  them  walked  the  whole  distance,  30  miles,  that 
day,  and  were  among  those  who  watched  at  his  bed-side 
the  whole  night. 

The  scenes  of  deep  solemnity  and  interest,  which  for  one 
entire  week,  were  presented  in  that  chamber,  will  never  be 
erased  from  the  recollection  of  those  who  witnessed  them. 
On  Thursday  it  was  very  evident  from  the  flickering  of  the 
flame,  that  it  would  soon  expire.  But  there  was  no  strug- 
gling with  the  King  of  Terrors  ; — none  of  the  agonies  of  a  dy- 
ing-bed. Gradually  the  light  waned  away, — growing  feebler 
and  feebler, — until  at  day-dawn,  on  Friday  the  23d,  he 
sweetly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  One  present,  expressed  the 
language  of  all  hearts  there, — 

"  Happy  soul,  thy  days  are  ended, 

All  thy  mourning  days  below  ; 
Go  !  by  angel  guard  attended, 

To  the  sight  of  Jesus — go  ! " 

Bishop  Smith  commended  the  departing  spirit  to  Him 
who  gave  it,  and  who  redeemed  it  from  the  power  of  the 
grave,  in  the  appropriate  words  prescribed  in  "The  Visita- 
tion of  the  Sick." 

During  that  whole  long  night  his  bed  was  literally  sur- 
rounded by  anxious  friends.  The  Bishop  and  Mrs.  Smith. 
the  five  young  candidates  for  the  ministry  whom  he  was 
wont  to  call  his  "sons,"— his  brother,  and  the  wife  who,  for 


MEMOIR,  31 

twenty-three  years  had  been  the  companion  of  his  pilgrimage, 
together  with  several  other  intimate  friends,  scarcely  for  a 
moment  forsook  his  bed-side.  The  awfully  solemn  stillness 
was  only  interrupted  at  intervals  by  the  Bishop,  with  pray- 
ers and  hymns  suitable  for  that  hour  when  the  soul,  hovering 
between  two  worlds,  was  "just  on  the  edge  of  bliss." 

The  gentlemen  who  first  heard  the  alarm  of  his  attack, 
found  him  in  his  study  chair  with  the  Bible  and  an  unfin- 
ished sermon  opened  before  him,  and  his  spectacles  beside 
them.  It  had  evidently  been  his  last  employment  to  pen 
an  earnest  message  to  his  people  from  Prov.  iii.  18.  "  She  is 
a  tree  of  life"  fyc. — urging  upon  them  in  view  of  eternity,  to 
choose  wisdom's  ways.  "The  advantages  resulting  from 
our  holy  religion  in  time,  are  great ;  but  it  is  in  view  of 
eternity  that  it  comes  to  us,  clothed  in  all  the  grandeur  of 
thought  and  words  and  reality.  Did  our  being  cease,  when 
the  vital  current  ceases  to  run  through  our  veins,  we  might 
leave  every  man  to  follow  the  devices  of  his  own  heart  and 
that  which  is  right  in  his  own  eyes.  But  O !  eternity ! 
eternity  dwells  upon  our  thoughts.  I  can  no  more  divest 
myself  of  the  idea  of  eternity,  than  I  can  divest  myself  of  a 
consciousness  of  my  existence.  Methinks,  my  dear  hearers, 
that  we  might  ring  this  one  word  in  your  ears  until  you 
were  driven  from  your  sins  to  lay  hold  upon  the  hope  set 
before  you  in  the  Gospel.  Did  you  ever  think  seriously  on 
eternity  ? 

"  By  eternity  then,by  an  eternity  of  happiness,  we  demand 
your  attention  to  your  own  salvation.  It  is  Solomon's  last, 
great  argument,  and  it  shall  be  our's.  With  this,  we  shall 
take  our  leave  of  this  precious  portion  of  God's  word." 

Thus  far  had  he  written,  when  the  voice  came,-— * 

"  Servant  of  God,  well  done  ! 
Rest  from  thy  lov'd  employ  ! " 


32  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

The  eternity  which  was  in  his  thoughts  soon  burst  upon 
his  view, — and  by  this  startling  providence  was  not  eter- 
nity sounded  in  the  ears  of  that  panic-struck  congregation 
by  the  voice  of  God  himself,  as  no  human  tongue  could  have 
sounded  it? 

Truly  may  it  be  said  of  him, 

"  His  sword  was  in  his  hand, 

Still  warm  with  recent  fight ; 
Ready,  that  moment,  at  command, 

Through  rock  and  steel  to  smite." 

With  equal  truth  may  those  other  lines  apply — 

"  Bent  on  such  glorious  toils, 

The  world  to  him  was  loss, 
Yet  all  his  trophies,  all  his  spoils: 

He  hung  upon  the  Cross." 

Of  his  death  and  funeral,  one  obituary  notice  gives  the 
following  account.  "  Although  the  health  of  our  dear,  la- 
mented brother  had  been  slightly  impaired  for  years,  yet 
no  painful  apprehensions  were  entertained  of  an  attack  so 
suddenly  fatal,  as  that  which  prostrated  him,  speechless 
in  a  moment,  and  left  him  languishing  almost  entirely  help- 
less and  senseless  for  nearly  a  week,  until  He  who  gave 
him  being,  and  who  redeemed  his  soul,  granted  him  a  gen- 
tle release  from  this  world  and  a  most  joyful  admission  in- 
to a  better.  With  one  exception,  of  a  far  less  marked 
character,  this  was  the  first  death  of  a  clergyman  which 
has  ever  made  a  decided  impression  upon  this  community. 
And  to  persons  at  a  distance,  it  is  difficult  to  convey  any 
idea  of  the  depth  or  universality  of  that  impression,  in  the 
case  of  our  lamented  brother.  All  knew  that  he  was 
greatly  and  generally  respected  and  beloved.  But  to  what 
extent,  never  could  have  been  known,  had  it  not  pleased 
God  to  draw  forth  the  expression  of  these  feelings  in  a  most 


MEMOIR.  33 

remarkable  manner.  The  suddenness  of  the  attack,  the 
extent  to  which  sympathy  and  aid  became  necessary  just 
during  the  brief  period  when  sympathy  is  continually  deep- 
ening ;  the  occurrence  of  the  funeral  on  the  Lord's  Day  af- 
ternoon, the  weather  being  uncommonly  delightful  for  the 
season,  all  tended  to  produce  an  impression  so  intense  and 
universal,  that  it  may  almost  literally  be  said,  that  his  fu- 
neral was  attended  by  the  city  of  Louisville.  St.  Paul's, 
which  is  a  large  and  noble  church,  was  filled  to  overflow- 
ing,— aisles,  around  the  chancel,  galleries  and  all,  nearly 
an  hour  before  the  arrival  of  the  corpse  and  the  mourners. 
Hundreds  surrounded  the  door,  and  crowded  the  side- 
walks, for  whom  admission  was  quite  impossible  within 
the  walls  of  the  church.  And  when  the  procession  did 
move,  it  was  preceded  by  whole  masses  of  the  population, 
crowding  both  side-walks  half  a  mile  in  advance  of  the 
hearse,  which  was  followed  by  mourning  friends,  afflicted 
parishoners,  and  a  sympathising  community,  on  foot  and  in 
carriages,  to  a  length  little  short  of  a  mile.  And  yet  the 
utmost  stillness,  decorum  and  seriousness  were  every 
where  manifested.  It  literally  seemed  impossible  that  any 
man,  in  the  short  space  of  six  or  seven  years,  could  have 
drawn  and  bound  so  many  hearts  to  himself.  " 

In  the  following  sketch  of  Mr.  Jackson's  character,  the 
author  avails  himself  of  the  delineations  of  others,  which 
are  more  true  to  the  life,  than  any  which  his  own  pencil 
could  portray.  From  motives  of  delicacy,  moreover,  he  pre- 
fers thus  to  group  together  what  others  have  drawn,  whilst 
at  the  same  time  he  deems  it  but  due  to  the  Church,  that 
witnesses  uninfluenced  by  the  partiality  of  kindred  rela- 
tionship, and  therefore  more  worthy  to  be  heard,  should 
testify  to  the  character  of  her  ministers. 


34  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Bishop  Henshaw  has  drawn  the  outline  of  his  charac- 
ter, with  a  correctness,  in  which  every  one  has  seen  the 
resemblance  to  the  life. 

"  As  a  man,  Mr.  Jackson  was  of  a  calm  and  equal  tem- 
perament ;  not  liable  to  high  excitement  or  deep  depression 
— bland  in  manners,  amiable  in  disposition,  steady  in 
his  attachments.  He  had  a  mind  characterized  by  solidity 
and  judiciousness,  rather  than  brilliancy, — of  practical, 
rather  than  speculative  power  :  and  without  any  vain  am- 
bition for  fame  in  the  arena  of  literature  and  science,  he 
sought  to  have  an  intellect  well  furnished,  and  consecra- 
ted all  his  attainments  to  the  work  of  his  sacred  profession. 

"  As  a  Christian,  he  was  enlightened  and  rational,  and  at 
the  same  time,  fervent  and  devout  ;  in  him  there  was  a 
happy  mixture  of  cheerfulness  and  gravit}T,  of  humility  and 
confidence,  of  love  to  God  and  benevolence  to  men.  He 
had  zeal  without  fanaticism,  and  order  without  formalism. 
He  seemed  in  all  his  religious  feelings  and  actions,  to  main- 
tain the  via  media  between  two  vicious  extremes.  While 
he  rested  his  hopes  of  salvation  exclusively  upon  the  grace 
of  God  through  faith  in  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  he  look- 
ed to  have  those  hopes  sustained  and  realized,  only  through 
the  appointed  means,  by  holding  communion  with  God,  in 
the  ordinances  and  institutions  of  his  Church.  He  cherish- 
ed no  hope,  independent  of  the  promises  of  the  covenant, 
and  attached  no  value  to  any  faith  other  than  that  which 
works  by  love,  purifies  the  heart,  and  overcomes  the  world. 

He  was  a  sound  and  decided  Churchman,  free  from  ob- 
noxious ultraisms.  He  had  no  sympathy  with  those,  who, 
professing  ardent  love  for  evangelical  doctrines,  look  with 
distrust,  if  not  aversion,  upon  those  safeguards  which  God 
has  provided  in  the  Church  and  her  institutions,  for  the 


MEMOIR.  35 

preservation  of  their  purity,  and  the  increase  of  their  effica- 
cy. Nor  could  he  fail  to  censure  those,  who,  professing 
an  ardent  attachment  to  the  Church  system,  deem  it  proper 
to  repudiate  all  that  is  called  evangelical  in  sentime  and 
practice;  as  if  men  would  derive  much  benefit  from  the 
candle-stick  when  the  shining  light,  which  it  was  made  to 
support,  has  been  extinguished  ;  or  attach  great  value  to 
the  casket,  when  the  precious  jewel  it  was  designed  to 
preserve,  has  been  thrown  away  !  His  was  a  steady  and 
enlightened  approval  of  the  truth  and  order  of  the  Church, 
— of  the  form  and  power  of  the  Gospel.  But  in  him, 
firmness  of  principle  had  no  alliance  with  bigotry ;  and 
while  he  sincerely  condemned  the  errors  of  those  who  dis- 
sent from  our  communion,  he  wished  grace,  mercy,  and 
peace  to  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity. 

As  a  Preacher,  Mr  Jackson  was  argumentative  without 
dullness  ;  earnest  without  extravagance.  He  aimed  to  en- 
lighten the  understanding,  with  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel ; 
and  at  the  same  time  to  move  the  affections,  by  its  motives 
and  appeals.  He  dwelt  upon  the  great  fundamental  truths 
of  Christianity.  The  sinfulness  of  man — the  love  of  God 
— the  redeeming  work  and  offices  of  Christ — free  justifica- 
tion through  faith  in  his  merits — the  agency  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  in  the  santification  of  the  heart — the  necessity  of  re- 
pentance and  a  holy  life — the  importance  of  the  means  of 
grace  as  instruments  of  our  salvation — the  solemnities  of 
judgment — the  joys  of  heaven — and  pains  of  hell, — these 
were  the  leading  topics,  to  the  illustration  and  enforcement 
of  which  his  pulpit  discourses  were  devoted.  The  end  of 
his  preaching  was  the  salvation,  rather  than  the  [approba- 
tion of  his  hearers;  to  win  their  hearts,  not  their  applause." 

Those  who  enjoyed  the  most  intimate  and  familiar  ac- 


36  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

quaintance  with  Mr  Jackson,  will  verify  the  accuracy  and 
truth  of  this  delineation.  Often  has  the  writer  of  this 
memoir  remarked  that  he  never  knew  a  man  more  entire- 
ly free  from  all  desire  for  human  applause.  His  first, 
highest,  and  holiest  ambition  was  to  make  full  proof  of 
his  ministry  ;  and  in  all  things,  by  pureness,  by  know- 
ledge, by  long-suffering,  by  kindness,  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
by  love  unfeigned,  and  by  the  word  of  truth,  to  approve 
himself  as  the   minister  of  God. 

Christ  with  him  was  the  fi  rst  and  the  last — the  begin- 
ing,  the  middle,  and  the  end  of  all  he  preached,  and  all  he 
lived  for.  He  never  aimed  at  being  great ;  but  he  always 
strove  to  render  his  sermons  interesting  and  profitable.  A 
rare  talent  for  bringing  out  of  his  treasure,  things  new  and 
old,  enabled  him  to  enliven  every  discourse,  to  simplify 
every  topic  he  handled,  and  to  give  point  to  every  truth  he 
presented.  The  beauty  and  appositeness  of  scriptural  il- 
lustration, as  exhibited  in  all  his  sermons,  renders  them 
models  in  this  particular.  To  display  logical  skill,  or 
scholastic  research,  or  critical  acumen,  never  formed  any 
part  of  the  actuating  motive  in  his  breast,  when  he  sat 
down  to  the  preparation  of  a  sermon.  He  preached  for 
eternity  and  for  the  souls  of  men  ;  and  he  preached  believ- 
ing that  every  sermon  accomplished  the  purpose  whereun- 
to  it  was  sent.  To  a  brother  in  the  ministry,  he  once  re- 
marked, that  he  never  went  into  the  pulpit  but  with  this 
full  conviction,  and  this  fact  accounts  for  the  unction  and 
fire  by  which  all  his  sermons  were  distinguished. 

"  Rightly  to  divide  the  word  of  truth,"  was  an  holy  art 
of  the  Gospel  ministry,  in  which  he  exhibited  admirable 
skill.  He  could  scarcely  be  said  to  have  had  a  favorite 
subject.    In  every  page  of  God's  Word  he  saw  Christ,  and 


MEMOIR.  37 

Him  crucified,  and  as  he  learned  Christ  there,  so  did  he 
study  to  exhibit  him  to  the  eyes  of  his  people.  With  inde- 
fatigable labor,  did  he  endeavor  thoroughly  to  instruct 
them  in  all  things  which  were  "profitable  for  doctrine,  for 
reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness." 
Nothing  which  he  undertook,  was  slightly  performed  or 
lightly  touched.  We  find  among  his  writen  sermons  and 
addresses,  five  on  the  miracles  of  Christ;  nineteen  on  the 
liturgy  of  the  Church  ;  eighteen  da  the  epistles  to  the 
seven  Churches,  besides  complete  series  on  the  Creed, 
the  Lord's  Prayer,  Confirmation,  and  other  topics  of  pul- 
pit instruction. 

As  a  Pastor,  his  zeal  and  fidelity  are  remembered  with 
gratitude  by  every  congregation  to  which  he  ministered. 
In  all  the  various  departments  of  pastoral  duty,  he  mani- 
fested such  lively  interest,  that  it  was  difficult  to  perceive 
which  lay  nearest  his  heart.  The  joyous  greeting  with 
which  his  visits  were  welcomed,  by  the  lowliest  as  well  as 
the  loftiest  of  his  people,  his  cheerful  and  animated  con- 
versation, intermingled  most  judiciously  with  graver  and 
more  serious  topics  of  discourse,  seemed  to  have  indicated 
the  field  of  pastoral  labor,  as  that  for  which  he  was  most 
pre-eminently  qualified.  Whereas,  to  have  heard  him  in  the 
pulpit,  in  the  lecture  room,  the  Bible  class,  or  the  Sun- 
day school, — at  the  missionary,  tract,  or  Bible  meeting, 
to  have  witnessed  the  easy  and  felicitous  manner  in  which 
he  performed  the  duties  appropriate  to  each,  it  would  have 
appeared  as  if  either  of  these  departments  of  the  ministerial 
work,  were  his  peculiar  forte.  But  the  components  of  his 
ministerial  character,  were  too  happily  balanced  to  allow 
any  regard  to  any  one  department  of  his  work,  which  re- 
quired the  neglect  of  any  other  ;  and  hence  it  was  that  his 

443293 


38  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

parishioners  scarcely  knew  where  they  most  delighted  to 
see  and  hear  him.  If  there  was  any  one  field  which  se- 
cured a  larger  share  of  his  interest  than  another,  it  was  the 
Sunday  school.  The  following  extract  from  a  letter  will 
explain  the  cause  of  the  peculiar  care  and  solicitude  with 
which  he  tended  these  nurseries  of  the  Church.  "  It  has 
been  my  happiness  to  pass  through  all  the  grades  of  a  Sun- 
day School,  from  the  lowest  form  to  the  highest  chair,  and 
I  bless  God  for  it.There,  I  learned  the  first  principles  of 
our  holy  religion — there,  the  truth  first  made  its  way  to  my 
heart,  and  kindled  within  me  the  inquiry,  what  must  I  do 
to  be  saved  ?  there,  my  single  talent  was  first  employed  ; 
and  there,  I  conceived  the  noble  desire,  to  be  more  exten- 
sively useful  in  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  in  the  world. 
And  if  it  shall  at  last  be  found,  that  that  desire  has  in  any 
measure  been  realized,  it  must  all  be  traced  back,  under 
God,  to  a  Sunday  school  in  a  distant  land,  founded  and 
conducted  by  my  own  venerated  father." 

In  a  letter  to  an  absent  member  of  his  family  from  one 
of  his  early  parishes,  he  writes  :  "Yesterday  I  organized 
the  male  Sunday  school  entirely  alone.      In  the   afternoon 

I  was  assisted  by  Col.  C ,  and  Mr.  W .     Mr.  E— * 

and  myself  had  previously  waited  upon  many  of  the  poor 
families.  So  far  from  objecting  to  send  their  children,  as 
was  anticipated,  they  in  general  appeared  to  be  highly  de- 
lighted. We  commenced  with  twenty-four  boys  I  trust  it 
will  be  the  beginning  of  a  good  work  among  them.  Some  of 
them  are  line  boys,  and  appear  to  be  pleased  with  the  idea 
of  coming  to  school.  My  first  object  was,  to  impress  upon 
their  minds    the    things   they  were  chiefly   to   learn — the 

•All  of  these  gentlemen  were  members  of  the  bar  :  one  of  them  afterwards 
became  a  senator  in  Congress  ;  and  two  of  them  now  hold  distinguished  places  in 
the  judiciary  of  the  State. 


MEMOIR.  39 

importance  of  those  things,  and  how  much  their  present  and 
eternal  happiness  depended  upon  them." 

Again — "  Sunday,  22d  :  attended  Sunday  school — my- 
self again  the  only  teacher — twenty-seven  scholars." 

Can  we  be  surprised  that  a  minister  who  would  thus 
personally  labor,  should  always  have  been  blessed  with  thriv- 
ing Sunday  schools  ?  He  rarely  failed,  during  the  whole 
course  of  his  ministry,  to  visit  ever}7  Sunday,  those  schools 
in  his  larger  parishes,  when  it  was  unnecessary  for  him  to 
be  a  regular  teacher  ;  it  was  his  habit  to  go  from  class  to 
class,  teaching  and  talking  to  the  children,  as  time  might 
permit ;  and  every  month  he  catechised,  questioned,  explain- 
ed and  addressed  all  the  schools,  and  children  of  the  con- 
gregation. 

So  deeply  interesting  did  he  render  these  catechetical 
exercises,  that  they  were  listened  to  by  the  adult  mem- 
bers of  the  congregation,  with  the  liveliest  interest  and  pro- 
fit. 

We  have  often  thought  that  if  the  parochial  clergy 
would  qualify  themselves  better  for  this  department  of  their 
work,  rendered  obligatory  by  the  express  requirement  of 
the  Church,  but  alas,  too  often  neglected — the  happiest  re- 
sults would  be  witnessed  both  in  children  and  their  pa- 
rents :  for  surely  a  more  thorough,  complete,  and  admirable 
compend  of  Christian  faith  and  practice,  can  no  where  be 
found  than  in  the  Church  Catechism. 

In  his  "Classes  of  Catechumens,"  as  he  styled  them  for 
want  of  a  better  word,  he  also  manifested  the  liveliest 
interest.  These  were  composed  of  the  baptized  members 
of  the  congregation, who  had  never  ratified  their  sacramen- 
tal vows.  The  classes  were  formed  some  weeks  previous 
to  the  episcopal  visitation ;  frequent  and  special  times  of 


40  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

meeting  being  appointed  ;  the  young  men,  the  young 
females,  and  the  older  persons,  each  assembling  in  their  re- 
spective classes.  His  object  was  to  exhibit  their  serious 
responsibility  as  regularly  initiated  members  of  the  Church, 
and  solemnly  to  enforce  the  obligation  of  renewing  their 
baptismal  vows,  in  the  rite  of  confirmation.  This  he  did, 
by  exhortations  to  the  whole  assembled  class,  and  by  pri- 
vate conversation  with  each  member  separately  by  himself : 
— and  the  success  which  crowned  these  delightful  exercises 
once  led  him  to  remark  that  he  had  found  the  enforcement 
of  the  obligations  of  baptism,  to  be  one  of  the  most  effective 
appliances  of  his  ministry. 

In  the  various  departments  of  Christian  benevolence,  his 
heart  and  hand  went  forth  with  uncommon  zeal,  and,  indeed, 
with  uncommon  effect.  The  obligation  of  contributing  ac- 
cording to  the  ability  which  God  gave,  he  regarded  as  no 
less  incumbent  upon  himself  as  a  minister,  than  upon 
Christian  brethren  of  the  laity.  From  the  very  earliest 
period  of  his  ministry,  he  solemnly  consecrated,  as  the 
minimum  of  his  contributions,  one-tenth  of  all  his  receipts 
to  benevolent  objects.  His  charity  account,  which  was 
never  seen,  during  his  life,  exhibits  not  only  a  faithful  and 
conscientious  but  liberal  appropriation  of  the  consecrated 
portion  of  his  income.  The  force  of  his  example  was  thus 
added  to  the  precepts,  which  he  so  frequently  and  urgently 
gave  upon  this  subject.  The  following  letter  from  one  of 
his  New- York  parishioners  will  illustrate  this  :  — 

"It  rejoices  me  to  hear  that  your  efforts  in  the  cause  of 
systematic  benevolence  have  met  with  so  good  measure  of 
success.  If  your  people  do  not  learn  all  about  that  matter  in 
your  school,  it  will  not  be  for  the  want  of  an  experienced 
and  faithful  instructor ;     and  if  any  should  be  disposed  to 


MEMOIR.  41 

consider  you  as  binding  '  heavy  burdens,'  they  can  never 
bring  the  concluding  part  of  the  charge,  and  say,  that  you 
'will  not  so  much  as  touch  them  with  one  of  your  fingers  ;' 
for  I  have  sometimes  thought,  you  used  the  whole  hand, 
and  not  unfrequently  applied  shoulder  and  all. 

"  Well,  after  all,  there  is  nothing  like  example  in  these 
matters — this  business  of '  Go  ye  and  do,'  cannot  give  half 
the  impulse  that  is  imparted  by  '  Come  ye,  my  brethren, 
let  us  all  be  up  and  doing  in  the  great  work  of  the  ingather- 
ing of  souls  to  the  fold  of  Christ.'  " 

In  every  parish,  in  which  he  labored,  his  preaching  and 
example  produced  a  manifest  increase  of  Christian  benevo- 
lence amongst  the  people — and  in  all,  or  nearly  all,  it  is  be- 
lieved, some  individuals  are  to  be  found  who  adopted  and 
still  continue  to  follow  his  principles  and  practice  in  this 
particular. 

He  gave  his  hearty  sanction  and  co-operation,  to  every 
enlightened  effort  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  of  man, 
and  advocated  their  cause  on  their  respective  platforms. 
His  services  on  these  occasions  were  in  constant,  at  one 
time,  almost  in  daily,  demand ;  and  he  was  frequently  sent 
for  from  home  to  organize,  and  represent  different  societies. 
In  1836  he  was  appointed  a  delegate  by  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Missionary  Society  ;  the  American  Bible  Socie- 
ty ;  the  American  Tract  Society  ;  the  Prayer  Book  and 
Homily  Society  of  Maryland,  to  their  kindred  institutions 
in  England.  He  accordingly  represented  the  three  last 
named  and  addressed  the  respective  annual  meetings 
held  in  Exeter  JIall  in  May  of  that  year.  Owing  to  some 
inadvertence  the  credentials  from  his  own  loved  missionary 
society  did  not  arrive  in  time  for  him  to  have  the  privilege 
of  appearing  in  its  behalf. 


42  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Of  the  American  Tract  and  Colonization  Societies,  he 
was  ever  a  firm  friend  ;  when  in  New-York  taking  the 
place  of  the  lamented  Dr.  Milnor,  in  the  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication of  the  former  society,  whenever  his  absence,  or  any 
other  cause,  rendered  it  necessary.  He  encouraged  the 
plan  of  monthly  distribution  in  all  his  churches.  It  was  his 
habit  once  a  month,  to  cause  to  be  placed  in  every  pew  in 
the  church,  a  tract,  which  he  selected,  either  from  the 
American  or  Episcopal  Tract  Society,  generally  with  refer- 
ence to  the  subject  of  his  sermon  ;  this  he  would  urge  upon 
their  attention,  in  the  hope  of  deepening,  in  the  retirement 
of  their  homes,  any  impression  that  might  have  been  pro- 
duced in  the  sanctuary. 

In  the  Colonization  Society  he  was  an  active  member 
of  the  Board  and  Executive  Committee,  in  New- York 
and  other  places  where  he  resided. 

But  the  Bible,  Missionary  and  Education  societies,  and 
Sunday  schools  were  the  objects  nearest  his  heart.  From 
his  first  parish  in  Harford  county,  where  he  was  chiefly 
instrumental  in  forming  their  first  Bible  society,  till  the 
day  of  his  death,  he  was  President,  wherever  he  resided,  of 
a  branch  of  that  noble  institution,  except  in  New  York, 
where  he  took  an  active  part  as  member  of  the  Board,  of 
the  Committee  on  Agencies,  &c.  of  the  parent  society.  In 
their  annual  Report  for  J  844  his  death  is  referred  to  in  a 
manner  which  shows  their  appreciation  of  his  services. 

No  sooner  had  he  felt  the  love  of  God  shed  abroad  in 
his  own  heart,  than  his  interest  in  the  cause  of  missions 
commenced  as  a  natural  result.  His  interest  in  this  noble 
enterprise  never  flagged.  During  the  whole  of  his  ministe- 
rial career,  he  held  monthly  meetings  for  imparting  mission- 
ary intelligence  to  his  people,  and  for  exciting  their  zeal  in 
a  cause  so  near  his  own  heart.     He  was  a  member  of  the 


MEMOIR.  43 

Foreign  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Missions  so  long  as  he 
remained  in  New- York.  It  was  his  delight  that  his  house 
should  be  the  home  of  the  missionary ;  and  when  he  left 
New-York,  there  was  not  a  missionary  from  our  Church  in 
foreign  lands  (with  perhaps  one  exception)  who  had  not  so- 
journed under  his  roof.    One  writes  : 

"  The  sad  tidings  of  the  death  of  my  beloved  Christian  bro- 
ther was  most  painful  to  me;  for  although  so  long  separated, 
and  so  far  away,  I  never  ceased  to  remember  my  unnum- 
bered obligations  to  him.  My  affection  for  him  surpassed 
that  which  I  felt  for  any  of  my  Christian  brethren  in  the 
ministry,  as  my  obligations  to  him  were  greater ;  and  I 
shall  never  cease  to  esteem  it  a  gracious  direction  of  Provi- 
dence, which  led  my  steps' to  him,  during  the  days  of  my 
preparation  for  the  ministry.  To  his  counsels  and  his 
prayers  I  owe  more  than  I  can  express.  But  my  friend, 
my  companion,  my  brother,  is  gone  home;  and,  ere  long,  it 
will  come  to  my  turn  also.  Oh,  may  it  be  to  hear  the 
*  well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant '  of  our  everlasting 
Judge." 

Another  says  :  "  I  have  indeed  felt  myself  one  of  the 
bereaved ;  for  he,  who  is  not  '  lost  but  gone  before,'  was 
not  only  dear  to  me  as  an  affectionate,  revered  friend,  but 
doubly  so  as  my  spiritual  father,  to  whose  instrumentality 
I  owe  all  my  hopes  of  happiness  both  in  time  and  in  eternity. 
Though  I  had  little  expectation  that  we  should  ever  meet 
again  in  the  flesh,  it  was  delightful  to  me  to  feel,  that  we 
were  united  in  spirit;  and  to  know  that  his  child  in  the 
Cospel  was  often  remembered  at  the  mercy-seat  which  he 
so  loved  to  approach." 

Nor  did  the  domestic  missionary,  who  came  within  his 
reach,  share  less  of  his  kind  sympathy  and  consideration. 
One  writes : 


44  EEMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

"  He  was  indeed  a  brother  whom  I  dearly  loved.  Never 
shall  I  forget  his  warm-hearted  sympathy,  and  his  constant 
readiness  to  uphold  my  hands  in parish." 

A  former  secretary  of  the  Foreign  Committee,  referring 
to  his  missionary  spirit,  thus  writes ;  "  Rarely  did  my  con- 
nection with  the  committee  for  some  seven  years  bring  me 
in  contact,  in  any  part  of  our  Church,  with  any  one,  whose 
interest  in  missions,  seemed  so  clearly  and  immediately  to 
spring  from  the  love  of  the  Saviour.  There  was  a  simpli- 
city, an  unvarying  warmth  in  his  affections  on  this  great 
subject,  which  appeared  to  absorb  all  minor  points,  in  the 
desire  to  see  the  Gospel  extending  its  blessings  over  the 
earth.  In  the  African  and  Greek  Missions,  he  felt  a  peculiar 
interest,  strengthened  by  a  personal  sympathy  for  several 
of  our  Missionaries  to  those  lands.  On  going  to  the  west, 
he  carried  with  him  all  his  interest ;  and  notwithstanding 
the  pressing  wants  around  him,  his  parish  often  gave  sub- 
stantial testimony  to  the  faithful  efforts  of  their  pastor  in 
behalf  of  yet  more  destitute  regions  abroad." 

A  rapid  glance  over  the  pages  of  Mr.  Jackson's  minis- 
terial history,  may  excite  some  surprise  at  the  frequency  of 
his  removals.  It  certainly  was  remarkable,  and  so,  he 
always  thought  it,  that  one  by  nature  and  education,  so 
averse  to  change  ;  one  who  was  wont  to  cling  so  fondly  to 
old  associations,  and  who  became  so  wedded  to  his  home  and 
to  his  parish,  should  have  so  frequently  been  led  to  change 
his  sphere  of  labor.  It  is  unquestionably  a  practice  generally 
to  be  deprecated,  and  in  which  Mr.  Jackson  never  desired 
his  example  to  be  followed.  He  often  advised  his  brethren 
in  the  ministry  against  it.  In  his  own  case,  it  never  was 
done  without  a  struggle,  often  deeply  painful ;  nor  without 
much  prayer,  deliberation  and  consultation  ;  and  a  full 
conviction  on  his  own  mind,  that  so  the  Great  Head  of  the 


MEMOIR.  45 

Church  would  have  it.  Numerous  indeed  were  the  calls 
he  received  from  different  parishes,  which  he  unhesitatingly- 
declined  ;  but  those  which  he  accepted  were  backed  by 
such  weighty  reasons,  and  urgent  appeals  from  clerical 
friends,  that  he  felt  he  dared  not  decline.  On  one  such 
occasion  he  remarked  :  "  Every  step  of  the  way  I  have 
trod  upon  thorns.  This  I  can  say,  I  have  the  testimony  of 
a  good  conscience,  and  that  is  enough.  Events  may  safely 
be  left  with  God." 

The  following  paper  is  one  among  the  many  proofs  of 
the  careful  deliberation  with  which  he  weighed  every  con- 
templated change  of  his  field  of  labor.  It  is  the  copy  of  a 
loose  paper  found  among  his  manuscripts  : 

1.  It  is  lawful  and  sometimes  expedient  for  ministers 
to  change  their  field  of  labor.  But  it  is  an  important  step 
and  therefore  not  to  be  done  lightly  and  upon  every  call. 

2.  An  unanimous  and  pressing  invitation  is  one  intima- 
tion of  Providence  to  accept. 

3.  A  prospect  of  comfort  and  usefulness,  especially  if  it 
be  obviously  a  wider  field,  &c. 

4.  If  judicious  ministers  and  Christian  friends  advise  it. 

5.  If  the  post  occupied  be  a  discouraging  one,  either 
from  the  coldness  of  the  people,  defections,  or  lack  of 
usefulness. 

6.  When  health  requires  it. 

7.  When  support  is  not  afforded. 

8.  When  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  congregation 
require  it. 


May  a  Minister  ever  leave  a  congregation  when  none 
of  these  reasons  require  it  ? 


46  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

May  a  Minister  make  a  change  because  he  prefers  one 
place,  or  section  of  the  Church  to  another  ? 

What  are  not  sufficient  reasons  to  justify  a  change. 

1.  It  is  not,  alone,  a  sufficient  reason  that  the  field  oc- 
cupied is  not  an  agreeable  one  ; 

2.  Nor  that  the  people  are  not  interesting  and  intelli- 
gent; 

3.  Nor  that  we  have  not  many  conversions ; 

4.  Nor  that  the  people  to  whom  we  are  invited  are  im- 
portunate. 


In  no  one  instance  was  Mr.  Jackson  induced  to  abandon 
one  charge  for  another,  from  mere  personal  feeling.  The 
prompting  of  his  heart  in  every  case  was  stay.  But  when 
from  solemn  convictions  of  duty  he  did  enter  upon  a  new 
field  of  labor,  he  threw  his  whole  heart  and  soul  into  the 
work  which  it  devolved  upon  him. 

He  identified  himself  with  his  people,  and  consecrated 
all  his  powers  to  their  spiritual  welfare.  "His  deep  piety," 
says  the  obituary  notice  already  quoted,  "his  fervent  zeal, 
his  sound  judgment  and  discretion,  his  fidelity  as  a  pastor, 
his  power  as  a  preacher,  and  the  beautiful  consistency  of 
his  example,  insured  for  him  the  respect  of  all  who  knew 
him,  and  enabled  him  to  exert  a  salutary  influence,  which 
was  felt,  not  only  in  the  city  of  his  habitation,  but  through- 
out the  limits  of  the  diocese  with  which  he  was  connected. 
Seldom  has  a  clergyman  who  occupied  so  many  stations  as 
our  departed  brother  did,  been  able  to  preserve  in  all  a 
character  so  elevated,  a  reputation  so  unimpeachable,  a 
ministry  so  uniformly  successful." 


MEMOIR.  47 

His  whole  character  appeared  to  exemplify,  as  far  as  the 
frailty  of  our  fallen,  nature  would  permit,  the  beautifully 
drawn  portraiture  of  a  minister  of  Christ. — 

"  Give  me  a  priest  these  graces  shall  posses — 

Of  an  ambassador,  the  first  address — 

A  father's  tenderness — a  shepherd's  care — 

A  leader's  courage  which  the  cross  can  bear — 

A  ruler's  awe — a  watchman's  wakeful  eye — 

A  pilot's  skill,  the  helm  in  storms  to  ply — 

A  fisher's  patience — and  a  laborer's  toil — 

A  guide's  dexterity  to  disembroil — 

A  prophet's  inspiration  from  above — 

A  teacher's  knowledge — and  a  Saviour's  love." 


LETTERS. 


LETTERS . 


On  Marriage,  Sfc. 

"  My  Dear  Friend, 

"  You  will  perceive  by  the  dimensions  of  the  sheet  which 
you  have  just  unfolded,  that  my  intention  is  to  send  you  a 
long  letter.  Whether  it  will  be  realized,  depends,  however, 
upon  many  contingencies;— -ordinary  calls  I  shall  dismiss, 
extraordinary  ones  may  compel  me  to  send  you  at  last  blank 
paper  ;  but  should  it  be  so  you  will  know  the  cause.  I 
devote  a  portion  of  my  time  to  you,  my  friend,  in  this  way, 
because  I  am  persuaded  that  you  earnestly  desire  to  receive 
1  instruction  in  righteousness.' 

"  The  question  I  have  to  answer  is,  '  whether  a  believer 
may  marry  an  unbeliever  ?  '  By  a  'believer,1  of  course,  I 
mean  a  Christian  in  heart  and  in  truth,  and  by  an  '  unbeliev- 
er,'' one  who  has  only  the  name.  I  answer  most  unequi- 
vocally, in  my  opinion,  No.  Our  appeal  however  must  be 
to  the  word  of  God,  for  I  acknowledge  no  other  rule  of 
conduct.     The  original  law   given  to    Israel,   the   ancient 

CO  ' 

Church  of  God,  is  against  it.  '  Thou  shalt  make  no  mar- 
riages with  them  ;  thy  daughter  thou  shalt  not  give  unto  his 
son,  nor  his  daughter  shalt  thou  take  unto  thy  son.' — Deut. 


52  REMAIN'S    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKSON. 

vii.  2 — 5.  Equally  explicit  is  the  law  to  the  Christian 
Church.  The  Apostle  limits  us  in  marriage  with  this  one 
restriction,  '  only  in  the  Lord-' — 1  Cor.  vii.  39.  Again — 2 
Cor.  vi.  14.  '  Be  ye  not  unequally  }7oked  together  with  un- 
believers, for  what  fellowship,'  &c.  The  examples  of  holy 
men  of  old  is  against  it.  Let  one  prominent  instance  suf- 
fice. When  Abraham  was  old  and  well  stricken  in  ago, 
with  the  solicitude  of  a  good  parent,  he  is  desirous  to  see 
Isaac  settled  in  life ;  and  with  more  commendable  solici- 
tude still,  he  is  anxious  to  see  him  married  in  a  way  becom- 
ing a  servant  of  God.  And  he  said  to  his  servant — '  I  will 
make  thee  swear  by  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Heaven,  and  the 
God  of  the  earth,  that  thou  shalt  not  take  a  wife  unto  my 
son  of  the  daughters  of  the  Canaanites,  but  thou  shall  go' 
&c. — Gen.  xxiv.  1 — 4.  How  the  wonted  prudence  and  piety 
of  the  good  old  man  show  themselves  in  this  transaction ! 
He  did  not  reason  as  many  do  in  this  day  of  clearer  light, 
many  who  claim  to  be  the  children  of  the  Father  of  the 
faithful ;  '  There  is  no  harm  in  marrying  an  idolater, — per- 
haps by  his  influence  and  persuasion  he  may  convert  her, 
and  make  her  a  worshipper  of  Jehovah.'  He  knew  too  well 
the  proneness  of  the  human  heartto  turn  aside  from  God,  to 
indulge  such  a  hope.  He  does  not  instruct  his  servant  to 
look  out  a  wife  for  Isaac  that  was  rich,  or  beautiful,  or  accom- 
plished ;  but  she  must  be  a  worshipper  of  the  true  God.  He 
was  content  to  sacrifice  his  only,  his  beloved  son  on  the 
altar  of  God,  but  he  was  not  content  to  sacrifice  to  the  un- 
righteous Mammon  ;  and  those  who  imitate  not  him  in  this 
respect,  may  well  question  whether  they  are  partakers  of 
*  like  precious  faith.' 

"  Nor  are  the  instances  of  aberrations  from  this  rule  les's 
to  the  point.  Marriages  between  the  '  sons  of  God,'  that  is 
the   godly,  and  the  *  daughters  of  men,'  that  is,  the  chil- 


LETTERS.  53 

dren  of  this  world,  were  the  cause  of  that  universal  apos- 
tacy  from  God,  which  was  followed  by  an  almost  entire 
destruction  of  the  human  race. — Gen.  6  chap.  Solomon's 
marriage  with  heathen  women  turned  aside  his  heart,  and 
Ahab's  marriage  with  Jezebel,  and  Jehoram's  marriage  with 
Ahab's  daughter,  brought  ruin  on  their  families,  and  distress 
on  the  nation.  It  is  in  vain  to  oppose  these  references  by 
saying,  that  no  one  contends  for  the  marriage  of  Christians 
with  idolators  ;  for  all  who  love  not  God  are  His  enemies, 
and  have  set  up  their  idols  in  their  hearts.  The  nominal 
Christian  who  loves  the  world,  is  not  less  an  abomination 
before  God,  and  not  less  dangerous  as  a  companion,  than  a 
pagan.  But,  independently  of  the  Scriptures,  even  reason, 
were  it  allowed  to  speak,  would  throw  all  its  weight  and  in- 
fluence against  such  incongruous  alliances.  While  all  con- 
sider good  temper,  amiable  manners,  prudence  and  good 
sense,  as  holding  a  very  important  place  in  the  qualifications 
of  a  wife  ;  surely  piety,  which  is  in  fact  the  pearl  of  great 
price  in  a  woman,  must  not  be  placed  in  a  secondary  scale. 
He  is  but  a  poor  Christian  who  would  say  that  he  cannot 
live  with  a  petulant  woman,  but  that  he  could  live  with 
one  without  piety.  He  may  hope  that  he  may  be  instru- 
mental in  her  conversion,  but  what  reason  has  he  so  to 
hope  ?     Why  not  convert  her  before  the  knot  is  tied  ? 

"  The  truth  is,  if  we  may  judge  from  facts,  the  probabi- 
lity is  on  the  other  side,  for  we  are  naturally  more  prone  to 
evil  than  to  good.  But  if  the  evil  should  be  escaped,  it  must 
result  in  much  pain  and  mutual  unhappiness,  for  '  How  can 
two  walk  together  except  they  be  agreed  ? '  how  can  an 
unconverted  wife  S}7mpathize  with  a  converted  husband  ? 
How  can  she  be  a  help-meet  for  him  in  his  most  important 
cares  and  concerns  1  How  can  she  direct  him  and  go  with 
him  to  a  throne  of  grace  ?     And  how  can  such  a  husband 


54:  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

love  such  a  wife,  supposing  her  all  beside  that  heart  could 
wish  ?  '  Do  not  I  hale  them,  O  Lord,  that  hate  thee  ?  I 
hate  them  with  perfect  hatred  ;  I  count  them  mine  enemies.' 
Ps.  cxxxix.  21,  22.  No  doubt  the  Psalmist  has  reference 
to  their  character,  not  to  their  person.  Those  Christians  who 
are  content  to  marry  one  living  without  God  in  the  world, 
in  effect  say,  that  they  want  a  help-meet  in  every  thing  but 
religion  ;  they  want  a  partner  to  share  all  their  joys,  but  their 

joy  in  God  ;  they  want  one  to  go  with  them  every 

where  but  to  a  throne  of  grace,  and  to  heaven.  They  desire 
to  live  together  as  they  can  in  this  world,  but  when  death 
parts  them,  they  care  not  to  see  each  other  again  for  ever. 
On  the  principle  which  I  have  advocated,  and  on  this  alone, 
can  marriage  reasonably  be  expected  to  be  happy.  Many 
more  arguments  might  be  adduced,  but  enough  has  been 
said,  I  trust,  to  insure  your  attention  to  the  subject ;  and  if 
ever  you  are  blessed  with  a  wife,  my  dear  friend,  that  you 
may  find  one  with  whom  you  can  '  so  live  together  in  this 
world,  as  in  the  world  to  come  to  inherit  life  everlasting,'  is 
the  prayer  of 

"  Your  sincere  Friend, 

"  William  Jackson." 


To  the  same,  on  the  same  subject. 

"  Wh  at  a  bane  to  many  a  believer's  happiness  is  an  un- 
equal yoke  !  They  who  venture  have  no  right  to  promise 
themselves  any  share  of  real  felicity  ;  they  have  a  right  to 
expect  what  befel  the  Israelites  in  their  unlawful  marriages 
fearful  and  perpetual  displeasure ;  they  have  a  right  to  ex- 
pect what  befel  Solomon,  apostacy  from 'the  faith;  they  have 
a  right  to  expect,   in  the  common  adversities  of  life,  such 


LETTERS.  55 

counsel  as  Job  received,  '  Curse  God,  and  die.''  They  have 
a  right  to  expect  at  the  very  best,  a  fearful  and  eternal  sep- 
aration ;  and  if  aught  can  infuse  into  the  cup  of  heavenly 
pleasure,  any  alloy  of  grief,  it  will  be  this,  that  the  belov- 
ed partner  of  my  bosom  is  writhing  in  perdition,  and  ming- 
ling his  or  her  cries  amongst  the  howlings  of  the  damned. 

"It  is  to  be  presumed  that  the  one  who  is  a  child  of 
God,  will  teach  and  admonish  the  other  ;  and  will  it  not  be 
a  fearful  thing  at  another  day  to  stand  as  a  witness 
against  them  at  the  eternal  bar.  Oh  !  it  is  treading  upon  en- 
chanted ground  ;  the  Christian  may  sleep  and  lose  his  soul, 
or  he  may  fall  into  an  enemy's  hands,  at  all  events  he  will 
mar  his  peace.  It  is  a  common  expectation  that  a  change 
may  be  effected  ;  but  what  right  have  they  to  suppose 
such  a  thing  ?  it  is  like  looking  for  a  divine  blessing  upon 
an  overt  act  of  wickedness — a  command  is  broken,  "Mar- 
ry only  in  the  Lord,"  and  I  had  almost  said,  they  impious- 
ly hope  their  Dagon  will  fall  before  the  ark  of  God  ;  it  may 
be  so  but  not  in  adoration,  it  will  in  all  probability,  be  in 
dreadful  ruin.  My  friend  Mr.  Richmond  says,  he  has 
not  known  such  hopes  to  be  realized  one  time  in  fiftxj.  In 
such  a  union,  there  is  every  thing  to  forbid  the  increase  of 
affection.  Christian  love  there  cannot  be,  and  natural  af- 
fection will  always  increase  the  danger  or  add  poignancy 
to  future  prospects." 


To  a  Friend,  on  entering  the  Ministry. 

"  Alexandria. 
"My  Dear  Friend, 

"  The  subject  of  your  last  two  letters   would  afford  me 

matter  for    more  paper     than    my  present    engagements 

will  allow  me  to  fill.     The  simple  questions,  on  which  you 


56  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

so  earnestly  ask  my  opinion,  are  respecting  your  call  to  the 
ministry,  and  your  fitness  for  it,  upon  either  of  which,  1  have 
not,  if  mv  recollection  serves  me,  ever  yet  expressed  my- 
self; partly,  because  I  deemed  it  desirable  that  time  should 
test  your  disposition  to  the  work  ;  and  partly  because  in  so 
important  a  step,  I  would  have  you  act  independently  of 
extraneous  influence.  Perhaps  I  have  erred,  perhaps  it  was 
my  duty  to  have  said  more  towards  bringing  your  mind  to 
a  decision.  I  rejoice  that  without  this,  the  matter  still 
oresses  with  so  much  force  upon  your  mind.  Now  you  have 
brought  it  before  me  in  such  a  shape,  that  I  feel  bound  to 
^ive  you  my  views,  My  settled  opinion  is,  that  it  would 
be  highly  dangerous  for  you  to  banish  your  present  feelings  : 
not  one  in  ten  who  enters  the  ministry,  has  so  few  difficul- 
ties to  encounter.  As  to  your  fears,  some  would  van- 
ish the  moment  the  decision  was  made,  and  to  others,  di- 
vine grace  would  enable  you  to  rise  superior.  As  to  your 
qualifications,  I  should  consider  them  sufficient ;  not  indeed 
to  justify  your  entering  at  once  into  the  sacred  office,  but 
abundantly  sufficient  to  sanction  the  hope,  that  under  aju- 
dicious  course  of  study,  you  might  become  a  respectable 
and  useful  minister  of  the  everlasting  Gospel. 

"  While  we  raise  the  standard  to  its  due  pitch,  we 
must  remember  that  no  man  is  bound  to  begin  with  ten 
talents,  but  he  is  bound  to  improve  his  one  talent,  until  it 
becomes,  if  possible,  ten.  We  are  not  to  look  for  perfection 
in  those  who  minister  at  God's  altar,  for  they  are  men  sub- 
ject to  '  like  passions'  and  infirmities  with  others  ;  but  they 
must  '  grow  in  grace,'  and  keep  the  body  in  subjection.  No 
man  indeed,  ought  to  think  of  this  work,  unless  he  has 
something  of  a  '  spiritual  character,'  has  made  some  '  spirit- 
ual attainment,'  and  possesses  some  portion  of  '  spiritual  gifts.' 


LETTERS.  57 

"  The  first,  is  at  present  the  main  point  for  you  to  con- 
sider :  and  having  settled  this,  as  I  trust  you  can,  the  other 
two  will  advance  by  study,  prayer,  temptation,  and  labor 
in  your  Master's  cause. 

"In  reference  to  your  call — the  work  is  in  itself  a  good 
one,  you  have  the  desire,  that  desire  has  increased,  and 
when  stifled,  has  returned ;  and  springs,  I  hope,  not  from 
the  love  of  ease,  or  popular  applause,  but  that  you  may  do 
good.  You  have  sufficient  talents  ;  Providence  has  eiven 
you  the  means  to  accomplish  the  end  in  view;  and  few  I 
presume,  have  better  evidence  that  they  are  inwardly 
moved  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  take  upon  them  this  office. 
For  my  part,  I  can  discover  no  just  pretext,  why  you  should 
not  put  your  hand  to  the  Gospel  plough,  while  there  are 
many  reasons  why  you  should.  Look  at  the  World  lying 
in  wickedness ;  look  at  our  Country,  with  a  population  fast 
outgrowing  the  increase  of  clergy  ;  look  at  our  Church,  the 
very  Church  established  upon  the  foundation  of  Apostles 
and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  being  its  chief  corner  stone  ; 
and  the  only  Church,  as  I  conceive,  that  promises  unity  and 
permanent  purity  in  doctrine,  with  at  present,  a  very  small 
band  of  ministers.  Then  look  into  Eternity,  where  they 
who  turn  many  to  righteousness,  shall  shine  as  stars  for 
ever  and  ever.  With  such  considerations  "before  you,  say 
if  3Tou  would  not  be  acting  in  consonance  with  the  mind 
and  will  of  God  in  cherishing:  that  desire. 

"  My  last  advice  is — make  it  your  prayer  to  Him,  whose 
you  are,  and  whom  you  strive  to  serve,  that  if  your  desires 
are  agreeable  to  his  will,  He  would  make  your  way  plain 
before  you  ;  but  if  not,  He  would  obstruct  your  path  by 
some  dispensation  of  His  wise  providence. 


58  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

"  The  bad  writing  and  many  blunders,  will  show  you 
that  I  have  written  in  great  haste. 

"  Your  sincerely  affectionate  friend  and  pastor, 

"  Wm.  Jackson." 


"  Self  denial  and  the  service  of  God  are  inseparable : 
it  is  by  our  sacrifices,  especially  in  things  lawful  but  not  ex- 
pedient, that  our  sincerity  is  brought  to  the  test — '  Now 
know  I  that  thou  lovest  me,  seeing  thou  hast  not  withheld 
thy  son,'  &c,  said  God  to  Abraham.  And  perhaps,  when 
you  are  brought  to  make  sacrifices,  any  and  all  sacrifices  for 
the  Gospel's  sake,  then  God  will  make  your  way  plain  be- 
fore you  ;  and  possibly  it  is  to  bring  your  mind  to  this,  that 
He  has  so  long  delayed.  Am  I  wrong  in  conjecturing, 
from  certain  expressions  in  some  of  your  letters,  that  there 
is  yet  another  idol  to  be  cast  away  ?  My  friend  has  some- 
times used  the  words,  reputation,  rcspectabilitij,  brilliancy,  &c, 
in  connection  with  this  subject,  in  a  manner  that  leads  me 
to  suspect  there  may  be  something  wrong  in  these  respects. 
Usefulness  is  the  great,  the  leading  object  we  must  have  in 
view;  and  to  this  end  we  must  be  content  to  sacrifice  self 
in  every  shape  and  form.  It  must  be  our  business  to  em- 
ploy to  the  best  advantage  we  can,  the  talents  we  possess, 
with  this  single  aim  in  view,  to  benefit  man  and  to  glorify 
God.  I  know  what  danger  there  is  in  the  particulars  just 
mentioned,  I  believe  it  is  a  snare  Satan  endeavors  to  throw 
around  every  minister,  I  may  say  every  Christian  ;  and  if 
he  succeeds,  he  at  once  defeats  our  efforts  for  usefulness. 
You  will  I  am  sure  excuse  my  plain  speaking  ;  if  my  con- 
jecture is  wrong,  yours  is  a  singular  case." 


LETTERS.  59 

"  New- York,  March  23,  1835. 
"  My  Dear  Friend, 
"  If  it  were  not  before  me  in  black  and  white,  I  would 
not  believe  that  more  than  a  month  had  elapsed,  and  your 
letter  not  answered,  when  it  was  my  full  purpose  to  reply 
to  it  immediately.  But  I  have  excuses  that  you  will  admit, 
for  during  the  last  three  weeks  I  have  been  so  unwell  as 
scarcely  to  be  able  to  write  what  was  necessary  for  the 
pulpit,  and  the  season  of  Lent  brings  with  it,  you  know,  a 
large  increase  of  public  duties.  Yesterday,  I  felt  quite 
well  again,  and  a  portion  of  to-day  I  have  allotted  to  you, 
though  my  plans  were  well  nigh  foiled.  Callers  began  at 
breakfast.  It  is  now  five  o'clock,  and  this  is  the  first  mo- 
ment it  has  been  in  my  power  to  put  pen  to  paper.  We 
had  heard,  of  course,  of  Dr 's  death.  It  does  not  sur- 
prise me  that  that  event  has  called  your  mind  afresh  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  It  is  natural  and  right  that  it  should 
do  so,  for  when  those  we  know  are  called  to  render  their 
account,  it  should  prompt  the  inquiry,  '  Am  I  about  my 
proper  business?'  It  will  be  a  fearful  thing  either  to  be 
found  idle,  or  busy  in  the  wrong  place  ;  both  of  which  I  am 
sure  you  would  deprecate.  But  '  you  know  not  what  to  do.' 
I  have  thought  much  on  your  case.  You  know  hitherto,  my 
advice  has  been  to  wait ;  the  obstacles  you  have  met  with 
have  seemed  to  direct  this  course.  It  was  always  my  opin- 
ion that  *  *  *  was  one  of  the  steps  in  Providence  to 
set  you  free ;  and  now  you  may,  I  conceive,  with  perfect 
propriety,  take  one  step  forward.  If,  after  looking  at  the 
matter  again,  in  all  its  bearings,  with  earnest  prayer  to  God 
for  His  direction,  you  find  it  in  your  heart  to  give  yourself 
to  that  good  work,  I  should  then  think  it  right  and  proper 


60  REMAINS    OF     THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

to  pledge  yourself  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  and 

inform  your  friends  that  such  was  your  determination. 

#  #  #  #  *  # 

"  The  question  that  here  arises  is,  '  Would  it  be  right 
to  take  so  decided  a  step  ?  '  I  think  it  would,  on  the  ground 
that  your  age  justifies  you  in  determining  your  own  path 
of  duty — that  your  plans  are  still  prospective,  and  that,  by 
so  doing,  you  will  expose  no  one  to  any  loss  or  trouble. 

"  Perhaps,  also,  a  few  more  grains  of  the  same  grace 
would  enable  you  to  overcome  the  difficulties  you  feel  in 
regard  to  extempore  prayer,  &c. 

"  Indeed,  my  dear  friend,  you.  must  overcome  that  feel- 
ing, at  least  in  the  family  circle  ;  you  should  do  violence  to 
yourself  in  such  cases  ;  this  is  our  mode  of  crucifying  the 
flesh.  Self-confidence  may  carry  us  through  any  such  duty 
with  some  credit  among  men,  but  self-distrust,  humility, 
confidence  in  God,  and  a  determination  to  shrink  from  no 
obligation,  will  much  more  commend  us  to  His  approbation, 
whose  we  are  and  whom  we  serve.  Let  me  observe,  how- 
ever, that  preparation  for  extempore  prayer,  is  just  as  proper 
as  preparation  for  extempore  speaking.  A  general  train 
should  be  marked  out  in  the  mind,  somewhat  in  the  follow- 
ing order  :  adoration,  thanksgiving,  confession,  supplication,  in- 
tercession for  others,  conclusion.  The  mind  will  sometimes 
dwell  and  enlarge  more  upon  one  particular  than  another. 
At  times  it  may  be  expedient  to  be  very  brief,  or  else  alto- 
gether to  omit  some,  especially  in  social  meetings,  where 
others  probably  have,  or  will,  make  such  points  the  subject 
of  their  prayers.  Always  be  short.  Most  fail  in  drawing  out 
their  prayers  to  too  great  length.  You  will  find  it  a  great 
advantage  to  store  your  mind  with  the  language  of  the 
Prayer  Book  ;  and  a  greater  advantage  still,  to  realize  your 


LETTERS.  61 

own  want  s,  the  necessities  of  those   with  whom  and  for 
whom  you  pray — and  the  presence  of  God. 

"  Other  duties  require  me  to  close.  Mrs.  J.  unites  in 
kindest  regards.  Farewell,  my  dear  friend,  may  the  Lord 
direct  your  steps,  prays 

"Your  sincere  friend, 

"  William  Jackson." 


11  New-York,  April  10,  1837. 
"  My  first  impulse  on  the  receipt  of  your  kind  letter,  my 
ever  dear  friend,  was,  '  I  will  write  immediately.'  I  wish 
it  had  been  done,  and  by  this  time  I  might  have  had  another 
of  your  welcome  letters.  Thus  it  is  that  we  are  always 
losers  by  procrastination.  But  if  Madam  Rumor  has  been 
as  busy  as  she  usually  is,  your  kind  heart  has  found  an 
apology  for  this  long  silence.  Soon  after  your's  of  January 
23d  came  to  hand,  matters  of  deep  and  very  absorbing 
interest  were  brought  before  us.  I  refer  to  a  call  from 
Christ  Church,  Louisville.  From  the  very  first  my  mind 
was  deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  its  importance.  The 
distance  is  so  great  that  I  could  not  visit  it ;  our  only  mode 
therefore  of  obtaining  information  was  by  writing ;  and  if 
you  could  have  thrown  any  light  upon  our  duty,  you  would 
not  have  remained  till  this  time  without  a  letter.  '  Self- 
interest,'  you  know,  '  sways  the  best  of  minds.'  The  infor- 
mation we  have  obtained  from  all  quarters,  clergy  and  laity, 
in  the  Church  and  out,  interested  and  disinterested,  all  say 
— go,  and  we  go.  The  call  is  accepted,  and  on  the  2d  of 
May,  D.  V.,  we  leave  New  York,  visit  Alexandria  and  Vir- 
ginia, and  then  wend  our  way  to  the  west,  where  I  trust, 
with  the  blessing  of  the  Great  Husbandman,  we  shall  find 


62  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

a  field  as  fruitful,  as  it  is  extensive — then  shall  we  reap  a 
rich  harvest  indeed.  We  hear  many  things  that  are  very 
pleasant  of  the  congregation,  though  I  trust,  indeed  I  am 
sure,  this  is  not  the  motive  that  actuates  us.  How  I  wish 
that  you  could  be  a  fellow-laborer  with  us  in  that  vast  val- 
ley !  But,  that  old  business  of  yours,  '  not  yet  freed  from 
its  entanglements.'  Well,  perhaps  it  is  all  right ;  and  I  fear 
the  present  times  do  not  favor  your  emancipation.  And  you 
have  entered  on  your  30th  year,  but  not  on  '  the  down-hill 
path.'  There  may  be  time  enough  yet  to  do  a  good  day's 
work ;  it  is  not  so  much  the  time  as  the  diligence  used,  that 
makes  a  good  and  faithful  servant.  We  made  as  good  a 
voyage  in  seventeen  days  out  as  we  did  in  forty-seven  on 
our  return  ;  and  many  a  man  does  as  much  work  in  a  short 
life  as  others  do  in  a  long  one,  and  the}r  may  have  as  rich  a 
reward.  You  remember  the  servants  who  entered  the  vine- 
yard at  the  eleventh  hour,  received  every  man  a  penny,  and 
those  who  entered  at  the  lirst  received  no  more,  so  you  need 
not  be  discouraged  that  the  Master  has  not  yet  hired  you. 
Now,  though  I  have  not  complied  with  your  condition  of 
answering  your  letter  soon,  yet  let  me  have  all  }rour  thoughts 
on  this  subject,  with  as  many  knotty  questions  as  you  please, 
and  it  shall  be  my  endeavor  to  solve  them.  But,  can  you 
not  come  and  let  us  talk  them  all  over? 

"  I  have  so  many  things  to  say  about  our  visit  to  Eng- 
land, to  dear  Tutbury,  &c,  which  was  all  that  is  delightful : 
but  my  head  and  hands  are  too   full  to  add  more  than  that 

"  I  am,  as  ever, 

"  Your  affectionate  friend, 

"William  Jackson." 


LETTERS.  63 

Extract. 

"  We  find  Louisville  all  that  we  anticipated,  and  have 
only  one  objection  to  the  place,  and  that  is,  its  remoteness 
from  all  that  we  love.  But  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
has  sent  us  here,  as  I  believe,  and  we  must  endeavor  to  do 
our  duty  in  that  state  and  place  to  which  it  has  pleased 
God  to  call  us.  Do  you  not  subscribe  to  this  ?  I  know 
you  do.  •  But,'  you  will  ask,  '  how  may  we  know  the  state 
and  place  to  which  God  does  call  us  ?  And  does  this  doc- 
trine forbid  us  to  desire  a  change?  By  no  means,  if  we 
have  a  right  end  in  view.  But  even  a  right  motive  will  not 
justify  us  in  forcing  a  change.  David  had  a  good  object  in 
view,  and  was  undoubtedly  influenced  by  right  motives, 
when  he  prepared  to  build  a  temple,  and  yet  he  was  not 
allowed  to  proceed  ;  but,  he  had  this  testimony,  '  Whereas 
it  was  in  thine  heart  to  build  an  house  unto  my  name,  thou 
didst  well  that  it  was  in  thine  heart.' — 1  Kings,  viii.  18. 

"  Just  so  it  may  be  with  you,  my  dear  friend,  in  your 
desire  for  the  ministry.  Hitherto  God  seems  to  have  hedged 
up  your  way,  and  may  continue  to  do  so  ;  but  you  may  be 
thankful  that  it  has  been  in  your  heart.'  Still,  however, 
what  you  say  about  dulness,  and  diffidence,  and  deficien- 
cies of  memory,  learning,  &c,  I  do  not  consider  as  suffi- 
cient impediments.  Diligence,  and  the  grace  of  God,  would 
enable  you  to  overcome  them.  I  am  glad  that  you  have  dis- 
covered your  mistake  in  reference  to  the  effect  of  the  work 
of  the  ministry  on  our  own  religious  character  ;  for  so,  it  is 
not  calculated  to  fit  the  soul  for  heaven,  and,  of  itself,  it  has 
many  dangers  ;  responsibilities  are  increased  ;  in  keeping  the 
vineyard  for  others,  there  is  danger  of  neglecting  our  own. — 
Sol.  Songs,  i.  6.  There  is  danger  of  going  about  sacred  stu- 
dies, and  sacred  occupations  as  mere  business  transactions  ; 


64  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    \VM.    JACKSON. 

but  the  danger  seen,  is  the  danger  escaped,  and  then,  it  is  of 
all  callings  the  most  favorable  to  the  work  of  grace  in  our 
own  hearts.  Certainly,  all  situations  and  callings  are  not 
equally  favorable  to  the  life  of  God  in  the  soul ;  and,  if 
one  be  more  so  than  another,  it  is  the  Gospel  ministry.  The 
twelve  disciples  made  some  grand  mistakes,  and  unques- 
tionably fell  into  grievous  sins,  arising  from  their  peculiar 
station;  and  {or  one,  it  had  'been  better  not  to  have  been 
born,'  than  to  have  been  a  disciple  ;  and  yet,  I  cannot  but 
think,  that  they  were  more  favorably  situated  than  others 
for  growing  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and,  no  doubt,  now  they  hold  higher  seats  in 
glory.  By  degrees,  they  perceived  their  danger,  and  learned 
to  be  more  watchful  and  more  dependent  on  God's  grace ; 
and  by  this,  and  this  alone,  any  calling  can  be  either  safe 
or  profitable.  I  wonder  too,  if  you  do  not  raise  a  higher 
standard  of  learning  in  your  own  mind,  than  is  absolutely 
necessary.  I  grant  that  ten  talents  of  Latin,  Greek  and 
Hebrew,  are  very  desirable,  and  may  be  well  employed — 
that  is,  if  we  have  with  them  ten  talents  of  grace  to  sanc- 
tify them — but  one  talent  may  also  be  employed,  and  we 
ought  to  remember  that  not  one  in  ten,  does  possess  ten 
talents.  Now  if  }tou  have  time,  only  to  make  very  humble 
attainments  in  literature,  God  does  not  require  more.  He 
only  asks  that  what  }'ou  have  be  well  employed ;  do  not 
wrap  those  }-ou  have  in  a  napkin,  because  you  have  not 
more.  The  truth  is,  that  the  most  successful  preachers, 
are  not  always,  nor  often  the  best  scholars.  We  are  not  all 
called  to  be  professors,  and  critics,  and  translators,  and  de- 
fenders of  Christianity  through  the  medium  of  the  press  ; 
but  we  are  called  to  a  faithful,  scriptural,  common-sense 


LETTERS.  65 

exhibition  of  Gospel  truths,  and  to  this  I  am  sure  you  would 
be  adequate  by  the  course  of  study  you  ought  to  pursue. 
"  May  the  good  Lord  direct  and  bless  you. 
"  Your  true  friend, 

"  William  Jackson." 


Extract. 


"  Remember  that  you  are  in  good  hands,  in  the  hands 
of  Him  whose  eye  is  ever  upon  you  for  good,  who  knows 
what  is  best  for,  and  best  to  do  with  you  ;  and  I  am  sure, 
that  when  you  are  brought  to  the  end  of  your  journey,  you 
will  see  that  you  have  been  led  the  best  possible  way. 
At  present,  your  duty  seems  to  be  to  honor  God  by  wait- 
ing and  praying  ;  pray  for  His  direction,  and  wait  his  time 
and  manner  of  answering.  I  know  this  is  hard  to  flesh  and 
blood.  Moses  knew  at  an  early  period,  that  God,  by  him 
would  accomplish  the  deliverance  of  Israel.  Acts  vii.  25  ;  and 
probably  when  he  smote  the  Egyptian,  he  thought  the  time 
was  come  ;  but  God  thought  otherwise.  He  saw  that  to  tend 
the  flocks  forty  years,  was  as  necessary  to  qualify  him  to 
be  the  Shepherd  and  Leader  of  Israel,  as  forty  years  in 
Pharaoh's  court.  No  doubt  during  that  long  probation  and 
discipline,  he  was  sometimes  tempted  to  think,  either  that 
he  was  mistaken,  or  that  God  had  forgotten  to  hear  his 
prayers  ;  in  both  which  he  was  wrong,  and  in  both  which, 
you  are  wrong  in  my  opinion,  if  you  entertain  such 
thoughts." 


"New-YorJc,  Feb.  17th,  1834. 
"  Full  as  my  hands  are  at  this  time,  I  should  feel  really 
guilty,  did  I  allow  my    brother  to  visit ,  without  a 


66  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

line  to  }'ou,  my  very  dear  friend,  to  show  you  that  you 
still  live  in  our  affectionate  remembrance. 

"  How  is  your  poor,  afflicted  brother  ?  his  illness  must 
throw  a  great  weight  of  business  on  your  shoulders.  I  hope 
an  increase  of  worldly  cares,  does  not  enter  into  your  heart, 
so  as  to  choke  the  word.  It  is  a  great  comfort  to  us  that 
divine  grace  is  sufficient  for  us  in  every  lawful  situation  in 
life  ;  for  Moses,  as  the  leader  of  Israel,  for  Joshua,  as  com- 
mander of  armies,  for  David  on  his  throne,  for  Daniel,  as 
prime  minister  in  the  court  of  Babylon,  and  for  you,  as  the 
chief  manager  of  the  business  in  your  branch  of  the  house. 
But  the  more  we  have  to  do,  the  more  grace  we  need,  and 
the  more  pra}*er  and  watchfulness. 

"  David  seems  to  have  penned  some  of  his  sweetest 
Psalms  in  the  midst  of  his  greatest  cares  and  difficulties. 
I  trust  3Tour  multiplied  engagements  only  tend  to  drive 
you  closer  to  God,  and  wean  your  affections  from,  rather 
than  wed  them  to  the  earth.  I  long  to  know  what  is,  and 
has  been  your  state  of  mind  of  late  ;  in  your  last,  you 
seemed  to  be  quite  depressed — perhaps  the  clouds  have 
gathered  and  dispersed  many  times  since  then.  Let  us  re- 
member that  clouds  are  as  necessary  as  the  sun,  and  bring 
as  rich  blessings.  Is  not  my  friend  too  much  affected  by 
sensible  enjoyments  ?  You  know  we  are  called  to  walk  by 
faith,  and  not  by  sight  or  sense.  Our  aim,  and  desire,  and 
prayer  should  be  to  say  and  do  as  the  Psalmist,  when  he 
said,  '  In  thy  word  do  I  trust.'  All  beside  we  may  leave 
with  God ;  joy  and  sorrow,  light  and  darkness,  He  will 
send  just  in  such  measure  and  duration,  as  infinite  wisdom 
and  infinite  goodness  see  to  be  best  for  our  spiritual  inter- 
ests. Our  bright  days  are  not  always  our  best  days  for  growing 
in  grace.  '  A  good  man  lying  on  his  bed  of  sickness,  on  being 


LETTERS.  67 

asked  which  were  the  most  comfortable  days  he  ever 
knew,  cried  out,  '  Oh,  give  me  my  mourning  days,  give  me 
my  mourning  days  again,  for  they  were  the  joy  fullest  days 
I  ever  had.'  This  anecdote  brings  to  my  mind  the  work 
from  which  I  extract  it,  and  which  I  recommend  you  to 
purchase  without  delay,  read  without  a  day's  intermission, 
and  digest  as  your  soul's  sustenance  :  I  refer  to  'Bridges,  on 
the  119th  Psalm.'  It  is  one  of  the  most  spiritual,  searching, 
devotional,  instructive  works,  I  have  ever  seen.  How 
thankful  we  ought  to  be  for  such  helps  !  other  men  work 
the  mines  and  we  share  the  treasure. 

"  Mrs.  J.  unites  in  very  kind  regards,  with 

"Your  sincerely  affectionate  friend, 

"  Wm.  Jackson." 


To 


"  On  recurring  to  your  former  letter,  I  discover  one 
query,  to  which  in  my  last  I  did  not  reply.  You  ask  how  a 
person,  situated  as  you  are,  ought  to  act  with  regard  to  at- 
tending church,  during  week-day,  festivals,  &c.  I  answer 
that  if,  like  David,  the  language  of  our  souls  is  '  when  shall  I 
come  to  appear  before  God  ?  '  If  like  him,  we  would  rather 
be  door-keepers  in  His  house,  than  dwell  in  the  tents  of 
ungodliness  ;  then  we  shall  embrace  every  possible  oppor- 
tunity of  being  in  the  place  where  prayer  is  wont  to  be  made. 
But  we  must  also  be  careful  that  our  good  be  not  evil  spok- 
en of.  When  business  requires  our  attention,  and  especially 
when  others  are  interested,  perhaps  it  is  better  not  to  insist 
upon  the  privelege,  dear  as  it  may  be  ;  but  when  God  re- 
quires our  presence  in  his  house,  then  neither  the  smiles  nor 
frowns  of  men  may  deter  us.  At  such  seasons  as  you  name, 


68  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

you  may,  I  should  think,  occasionally  visit  God's  house 
without  any  detriment  to  the  worldly  interests  of  yourself 
or  others.  My  counsel  however  would  be,  rather  yield  than 
offend — the  Christian  must  'follow  peace;''  he  must  pur- 
chase it  at  any  price,  except  the  price  of  offending  God. 
This  remark  will  apply  to  another  subject ;  one,  in  which, 
if  you  should  ever  again  be  tried,  (which  I  pray  you  never 
may,)  I  trust  you  will  have  grace  to  act  as  becomes  a  Chris- 
tian. You  express  your  fears  of  yourself;  let  your  fears 
be  turned  into  prayers,  and  rest  assured  that  God's  grace  is 
sufficient  for  you.  Christians  must  learn  to  suffer,  as  well 
as  to  do.     See  2  Pet.  ii.  19—22." 


"  To ,  on  the  death  of  his  brother. 

"New-York  March  13,  1834. 
"  My  very  dear  Friend, 
"Most  truly  do  I  sympathize  with  you  in  the  various  trials 
you  are  called  to  bear  ;  nor  should  I  have  allowed  a  single 
mail  to  pass  without  bearing  a  word  of  condolence  from 
me,  but  that  at  the  time  yours  of  the  9th  inst.,  was  hand- 
ed to  me,  I  was  suffering  from  an  attack  of  indisposition 
which  completely  incapacitated  me  for  writing.  To-day  I 
am  better,  and  my  first  hour  is  devoted  to  you.  Would 
that  it  were  in  my  power  to  say  something  either  for  your 
comfort  or  edification;  greater  comfort  you  cannot  have, 
than  the  hope  that  your  dear  brother  has  passed  from  earth 
to  heaven,  from  the  bosom  of  his  family  to  the  bosom  of  his 
God,  where  he  finds  a  "happy  issue  out  of  all  his  troubles." 
O  !  let  it  teach  us,  my  dear  friend,  to  examine  well  our 
hopes  for  eternity — let  it  lead  us  to  quicken  our  pace  in  our 
heavenward  pilgrimage — let  it  direct  our  thoughts  more  than 


LETTERS.  69 

ever  to  eternity.  There  lies  the  great  secret  of  decision 
in  our  Christian  character,  high  attainments  in  holiness,  and 
great  devotedness  to  God,  and  His  service  and  glory,  to 
realize  more  fully  the  great  concerns  and  realities  of  eternity. 
Eternity  gives  to  time,  heaven  to  earth,  and  hell  to  sin, 
their  proper  value,  importance  and  character.  Such  daily 
converse  with  eternity,  and  all  of  joy  or  misery  connected 
with  it,  would  draw  our  affections  very  much  from  earth, 
teach  us  how  to  use  our  precious  time,  and  make  death  not 
only  easy  but  desirable.  It  was  in  turning  away  his  eyes 
from  the  things  that  are  seen  and  temporal,  to  those  unseen 
and  eternal,  that  the  Apostle  rose  so  superior  to  his  trials, 
and  rejoiced  so  fully  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God — See  2 
Corinthians,  part  of  the  4th  and  5th  chapters, — and  it  is  the 
only  way  in  which  we  can  take  an  elevated  stand  in  godli- 
ness and  be  brought  really  to  enjoy  religion.  This  is  the 
manner  in  which  the  death  of  beloved  relations  has  a  sanc- 
tifying effect  upon  the  mind  ;  and  I  pray  God  that  the  pre- 
sent bereavement  may  thus  be  sanctified  to  every  member 
of  your  family.     It  is  indeed  a  severe  stroke  and  we  feel 

very  much   for  you   all.     How  does  your  afflicted 

bear  it  ?  Tell  her  that  there  is  but  one  way  to  escape  from 
trouble,  and  that  is  by  listening  to  the  Saviour's  call,  'Come 
unto  me  all  ye  that  are  weary  and  heavy  laden  and  I  will 
give  you  rest.'  Nor  is  it  to  be  found  there,  unless  we  seek 
at  the  same  time  to  be  saved  by  Him  from  the  heavier 
burden  of  sin ;  we  cannot  really  have  the  less  without  the 
greater.  If  we  will  consent  to  take  Christ  for  our  Saviour, 
then  shall  our  light  afflictions  be  make  lighter ;  yea, 
profitable,  working  out  for  us  an  inconceivable  weight  of 
glory  ;  so  true  is  it  that  'godliness  is  profitable  unto  all 
things,  having  the  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of 
that  which  is  to  come.'  *  *  *  * 


70  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

"Mrs.  J.  unites  in  affectionate  regards  and  sympathy  for 

yourself,  and  every  member  of  your  family  who  is  with 

you,  with 

"  Your  faithful  and  affectionate  friend, 

"  Wm.  Jackson." 


Extract. 


"  You  complain  of  the  want  of  spiritual  enjoyments,  and 
ask,  as  thousands  have  done  before — nay  what  Christian 
has  not  at  one  period  or  other — '  Where  is  the  blessedness  I 
knew  ? '  It  may  be  that  our  sensible  enjoyments  are  low, 
even  while  others  perceive  that  we  are  growing  in  grace. 

"  I  have  no  desire  to  flatter — you  would  not  wish  it — yet 
I  must  say  that  I  have  no  doubt  '}Tou  know  the  grace'  of 
God.  Let  it  be  your  watchful  care,  as  in  this,  so  in  all 
things,  to  walk  as  becomes  a  professed  follower  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and,  no  question,  you  will  experience  richer 
enjoyments.  'Unto  the  upright  there  ariseth  light  in  dark- 
ness,' '  To  him  that  ordereth  his  conversation  aright,  will  I 
show  the  salvation  of  God.'  Only  believe,  and  watch  unto 
prayer,  watch  in  prayer,  and  watch  after  prayer,  and  all 
will  be  well.  We  are  not  so  much  to  desire  enjoyment  as  holi- 
ness ;  get  the  latter  and  the  former  will  follow.  When  we 
are  clothed  with  the  garments  of  salvation,  and  covered 
with  the  robe  of  risrhteousnes,  i.  e.  the  Redeemer's  right- 
eousness  by  faith,  and  personal  righteousness  by  sanctifi- 
cation,  then  shall  we  greatly  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  be 
jo}Tful  in  our  God — then  will  the  spirit  of  heaviness  be  ex- 
changed for  the  garments  of  praise.  Is.  lxi.  3,  10. 

"  It  would  indeed  gladden  your  heart,  I  am  sure,  to  see 

your  dear ,  a  sharer  in  the  grace  of  God.     O  !  it  is  sad 

to  think  of  any,  especially  those  so  near  and   dear  to  us, 
living  '  without  hope  and  without  God  in  the  world.'     You 


LETTERS.  71 

say  that  she  says  she  '  desires  to  be  a  Christian,  but  to 
change  her  heart  is  the  work  of  the  Spirit.'  True — and 
Bartimeus  could  not  open  his  own  blind  eyes  ;  but  he  could 
and  did  mourn  over  his  calamity,  and  when  Jesus  passed 
by,  he  could  and  did,  under  the  impulse  of  a  strong  desire 
to  see,  cry  out,  '  Jesus,  thou  Son  of  David,  have  mercy  on 
me.'  This  he  did  without  a  promise  to  encourage  him — 
nay  under  discouragements — He  had  done  it,  and  the  blind 
man  knew  that  He  could  do  it,  therefore  he  put  in  his  peti- 
tion and  he  received  his  sight.  Now,  He  not  only  can,  but 
has  promised  to  give  a  new  heart ;  '  nevertheless,'  says  He, 
'  I  will  be  inquired  of  by  my  people  to  do  it  for  them.'     If 

desires  a  new  heart  as  Bartimeus  did  his  sight,  let  us 

imitate  his  importunity,  and  it  shall  be  given." 

To . 

"  I  thank  you  for  authorizing  me  to  name  you  as  a  sub- 
scriber to  our  Seminary  Library,  and  I  rejoice  to  see  that  you 
are  disposed  to  make  your  liberality  abound.  Depend  upon 
it  that  God  will  not  allow  himself  to  be  in  your  debt.  Indeed 
I  have  found  that  givingbrings  with  it  its  own  reward  ;  there 
is  a  pleasure  in  aiding  those  objects  which  have  reference 
to  the  best,  the  highest  interests  of  man,  that  profligates 
never  can  find  in  their  extravagance.  I  am  much  pleased 
likewise  with  the  suggestion  you  make  to  afford  assistance 
to  some  young  man  in  his  preparation  for  the  ministry.  The 
expense  would  be  from  $75  to  $100  per  annum.  The  plan 
of  the  Education  Society  is  to  furnish  only  the  board  of  its 
beneficiaries.  When  you  have  made  up  your  mind,  I  shall 
be  most  happy  to  assist  you  in  making  a  suitable  selection, 
for  I  am  persuaded  there  is  no  better  way  of  serving  the 
cause  of  Christ.     God  has  enabled  me  to  train  one  for  the 


72  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

work  of  the  ministry,  and  I  assure  you,  it  is  no  little  satis- 
faction to  me  to  hear  that  he  is  laboring  acceptably  in  the 
Church;  and,  if  he  should,  as  I  trust  he  will,  be  instrumen- 
tal in  carrying  many  souls  to  glory,  how  will  the  reward  be 
increased.  How  much  satisfaction  must  Henry  Thornton 
have  had  in  educating  such  a  man  as  Buchanan !  If  we 
consult  either  the  experience  of  Christians,  orthe  records  of 
God's  word,  I  think  we  shall  find  that  the  consolations  of 
Christians,  and  their  growth  in  grace,  usually  keeps  pace 
with  their  labors  of  love.  I  may  add  that  they  are  like- 
wise generally  the  most  blessed  in  their  worldly  affairs,  for 
'  godliness  is  profitable  to  all  things,  having  the  promise  of 
the  life  that  now  is,  and  that  which  is  to  come.'  If  they 
are  not  the  richest,  they  are  the  most  comfortable.  '  A 
little  that  the  righteous  hath,  is  better  than  great  riches  of 
the  ungodly.'  " 


"  Alexandria. 
"  My  Dear  Friend, 

"  So  prompt  and  pleasing  a  compliance  with  my  wishes 
demanded  from  me  an  early  reply  ;  indeed  the  interest  you 
have  excited  in  my  heart  would  have  insured  it  had  other 
enoacrements  allowed. 

"  We  were  much  pleased  to  learn  that  you  had  a  safe, 
though  it  must  have  been  a  very  unpleasant  journey.  We 
frequently  thought  of  you  when  we  saw  the  storm  pelting 
without.  Were  I  disposed  to  moralize,  it  would  be  very 
easy  to  find,  in  this  little  incident,  a  happy  illustration  of 
life,  and  especially  of  the  Christian's  life.  Whatever  diffi- 
culties 01  dangers  you  encountered  by  the  way,  all  is  well 

now  as  relates  to  the  journey  to ;  and  whatever  trials 

or  temptations  may   beset  our   path  here,  they  are  all  light 
and  easy  to  overcome,  if  we  have  heaven  in  our  eye  ;  and 


LETTERS.  73 

when  we  reach  that  'home  of  the  soul'  all  will  be  well, 
eternally  well  ;  but  the  further  amplification  of  this  idea  I 
leave  with  you. 

"  You  propose  a  very  difficult  question  in  your  last,  but 
while  I  feel  you  do  me  great  honor  in  making  me  your 
counsellor,  I  must  refer  you  to  a  higher  source,  the  ivord  of 
God ;  that  is  the  standard  by  which  all  our  actions  must  be 
tried,  and  should  be,  of  course,  the  great  governing  principle 
of  all  our  conduct.  It  forbids  us  to  consult  our  own  ease, 
interest,  or  personal  comfort  when  either  of  these  conflicts 
with  higher  obligations.  '  If  thy  right  eye  offend  thee 
pluck  it  out,'  &c.  Nothing  must  be  allowed  to  stand  be- 
tween us  and  God.  '  He  thatloveth  father  or  mother  more 
than  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me.'  Those  who  would  follow 
the  Lord  wholly,  must  be  prepared  to  venture  every  thing 
in  His  cause. 

"  With  regard  then   to  attending  the church,   or 

places  of  public  amusement,  I  should  say  that  either  is  an 
infected  atmosphere,  and  rendered  doubly  dangerous,  from 
the  fact  that  our  moral  constitutions  are  predisposed  to  the 
infection. 

"  This  remark,  so  far  as  the  former  is  concerned,  may 
be  called  uncharitable,  but  we  ought  not  to  be  intimidated 
by  such  imputations.  There  is  much  cant  abroad  ;'bout 
charity,  but  there  is  no  such  charity  enjoined  in  the  s,  cred 
Scriptures,  as  requires  us  to  think  that  many  is  right  and 
that  one  creed  is  as  good  as  another.  If  I  understand  true 
charity,  it  is  a  spirit  of  Christian  love  or  good-will  to  vard 
all  men  ;  which  spirit  may  be,  must  be,  cherished  all  ce  to 
men  of  every  class  and  principle.  One  may  therefore  live 
charity  in  full  exercise  toward  an  individual  or  socie  v,  at 
the  very  moment  he  is  obliged  to  condemn  their  faith,  as 
sapping  the  foundation  of  our  holy  religion. 


74  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKSON. 

"  As  regards  amusements  and  worldly  compliances,  the 
above  remark  may  be  considered  morose  and  austere. — 
Christians  should  be  particularly  careful  to  vindicate  their 
religion  from  this  charge  ;  not  by  argument,  but  by  the 
cheerful  voice  and  behavior,  the  light  of  joy  in  the  coun- 
tenance. A  morose,  gloomy  Christian,  is  a  strange  anomaly  ; 
we  must  show  that  '  religion  never  was  designed  to  make 
our  pleasures  less,'  but  that  its  tendency  is  to  elevate  and 
refine  them.  To  resist  these  allurements  may,  for  a  time, 
cost  a  struggle,  but  a  firm  stand,  decision  of  character,  and 
a  little  perseverance,  will,  by  the  grace  of  God,  make  it 
easy.  It  would  be  perfectly  easy  now,  for  instance,  for  me 
to  resist  a  temptation  to  visit  the  theatre,  though  the  time 
may  have  been  when  it  would  have  required  an  effort — 
other  instances  might  be  adduced.  To  avail  myself  still 
further  of  the  privilege  you  have  given  me  of  advising,  I 
would  say  little  by  way  of  controverting  certain  points  of 
difference  between  you  and .  I  would  suggest  the  pro- 
priety of  not  discussing  any  of  the  points  touching  the  Tri- 
nity at  present  ;  *vhen  the  proper  time  is  come,  do  it  with 
prayer  and  as  a  serious  business.  But  it  becomes  you,  as 
one  who  feels  deeply  interested  in  his  spiritual  welfare,  to 
bring  before  his  mind  such  subjects  as  the  spirituality  and 
extent  of  the  divine  law — the  tremendously  awful  conse- 
quences of  sin — the  necessity  of  repentance  and  of  regene- 
ration— the  character  of  a  child  of  God,  and  the  blessed 
and  glorious  privileges  belonging  to  the  Christian.  Let  your 
exhibition  of  these  topics  he  scriptural,  and  as  much  as  pos- 
sible from  those  portions  of  Holy  Writ  which acknow- 
ledge to  be  divinely  inspired.  We  must  reason  with  those 
who  differ  from  us,  as  Christ  and  his  apostles  did,  out  of 
their  oivn  Scriptures. 


LETTERS.  75 

What  ought  a  Christian  to  do  in  case  of  personal  assault  ? 

"My  Dear  Friend, 
"  Before  I  commence  my  morning  walks  among  the  sick, 
I  am  determined  at  least  to  commence  a  sheet  for  you.  I 
ought  not  to  have  neglected  you  so  long,  nor  should  I,  but 
for  frequent  calls  from  home  this  summer  to  attend  Conven- 
tions, Annual  Meetings,  and  to  form  Bibles  Societies,  etc. 
During  such  excursions,  parochial  duties  so  accumulate  that 
my  time  is  completely  occupied  with  them  when  at  home. 
Your  communications  afford  me  matter  enough  for  several 
sheets  ;  my  only  difficulty  is  to  know  where  to  begin.  I 
am  glad  to  find  your  conscience  is  tender;  a  sanctified  con- 
science is  a  great  blessing  ;  it  is  the  regulator  of  our  moral 
machinery,  and  should  therefore  be  carefully  guarded.  It 
is  not  however  alone  sufficient — it  is  not  the  light  by  which 
we  discover  good  and  evil,  right  and  wrong.  The  word  oj 
God  is  that  light.  And  taking  up  this  figure,  I  would  call 
consience  the  eye  of  the  soul,  which  enables  us  to  walk  by 
that  light.  We  must  then  in  all  cases  ask,  not  what  man 
says,  but  what  is  written  ?  *  *  *  * 

"  The  main  difficulty  of  your  next  query,  lies  rather  in 
the  practical  than  the  theoretical  part.  It  is  easy  to  tell  what 
we  ought  to  do  in  case  of  an  attack  upon  our  person,  but  I 
am  aware  it  must  be  very  difficult  to  act  aright ;  and  yet. 
we  may  say  here,  as  in  every  other  case,  'I  can  do  all 
things  through  Christ  strengthening  me.'  I  have  appre- 
hended that  you  would  find  difficulty  from  that  quarter,  be- 
cause Christians  usually  find  their  greatest  trials  arise  from 
the  chief  sin  of  their  unconverted  state  ;  and  it  is  wisely  so 
ordered,  the  more  effectually  to  humble  us,  and  to  prove 
our  sincerity.  Think  not  therefore  that  any  strange  thing 
has  befallen  you,  and  fear  not  but  God  will  make  a  way 
for  your  escape.     It  is  undoubtedly  your  duty  to  suffer  rather 


76  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

than  to  sin.  The  maxim  of  the  Gospel  is,  'Fear  not  them 
which  kill  the  body,  but  are  not  able  to  kill  the  soul,  but  ra- 
ther fear  Him  who  is  able  to  destroy  both  body  and  soul  in  hell ' 
— and  this  maxim  is,  according  to  my  view,  the  genuine 
interpretation  of  the  first  law  of  nature,  to  which  you  allude. 
If  self-preservation  be  that  law,  then  surely  we  act  most 
agreeably  to  it  when  we  labor  to  preserve  the  soul,  and  to 
flee  from  the  wrath  to  come.  Should  the  matter  proceed 
farther,  which,  may  God  prevent !  it  will  evidently  be  your 
dut}r,  as  a  Christian,  to  seek  peace,  even  should  it  be  at  the 
price  of  much  sacrifice.  I  think  for  the  sake  of  peace,  we 
must  be  read}7,  to  sacrifice  any  thing  but  the  truth,  and  rather 
than  do  tv?-ortg,  we  must  suffer  any  thing  that  God  in  His 
providence  may  lay  upon  us.  If  we  do  not  act  thus  it  may 
well  be  asked  of  us,  'What  do  ye  more  than  others?' 
Such  a  course  may  expose  us  to  the  sneers,  and  frowns, 
and  ridicule  of  the  world,  but  we  shall  enjoy  the  approba- 
tion of  the  good,  and  especially  the  favor  of  God.  'If  ye 
for  conscience  sake,  endure  grief,  suffering  wrongfully, 
happy  are  ye.' 

"  The  very  limited  space  of  a  single  sheet,  does  not  allow 
me  to  write  so  fully  on  the  above  topics  as  I  could  wish.  If 
what  I  have  said  on  any  point  be  not  satisfactory,  my  pen 
will  be  at  your  service  again. 

"  Farewell,  my  dear  friend.  Our  united  regards  to 
yourself  and  sister.     Believe  me  always, 

"  Faithfully  yours, 
"  Wm.  Jackson." 


Extract  from  a  Letter  to  his  Brother,  on  the  death  of  his  Mother. 
"  Havre  de  Grace,  June  10th,   1822. 
"  This  is  to  me  a  very  severe  stroke.     My  hopes  indeed 


LETTERS.  77 

of  ever  seeing  my  dear  mother  again  in  the  flesh,  were  not 
very  sanguine  ;  though  sometimes  I  could  not  but  flatter 
myself  that  it  might  possibly  one  day  be  my  happiness,  and 
that  the  pleasure  would  be  more  than  doubled,  by  intro- 
ducing my  dear  mother  to  an  acquaintance  with  one,  who 
would  have  been  second  to  none  in  her  esteem  except 
her  own  kind  parent — but  all  these  sweet  hopes  are  blast- 
ed. Providence  in  His  wisdom,  has  seen  fit  to  deprive 
me  of  them  ;  but  is  it  not  a  consolation,  that  one  hope 
remains  which  can  never  be  frustrated  ?  I  mean  that 
blessed  hope  of  eternal  life,  which,  says  one,  '  is  an  anchor 
to  the  soul  in  all  the  storms  of  adversity ;  and  the  oil  of 
gladness,  swimming  above  all  the  waves  of  affliction.' 
There  are  some  '  vulgar  errors,'  as  it  appears  to  me,  con- 
nected with  the  subject  of  death,  which,  I  often  think,  if 
once  removed,  might  tend  much  to  ameliorate  grief  for  de- 
parted friends.  Many  imagine  they  are  removed  to  an  im- 
mense distance  from  us,  but  why  ?  I  know  no  intermediate 
space  between  earth  and  heaven,  but  a  little  space  of  time. 
No  intercepting  matter  except  a  few  pounds  of  dust.  When 
I  reflect  on  heaven,  I  like  to  bring  it  very  near  me — into  my 
very  chamber.  Where  an  omnipresent  God  is,  there  is  hea- 
ven, and  if  glorified  spirits  have,  as  they  must  have,  locality, 
let  us  bring  them  as  near  to  ourselves  as  possible.  Why  not 
this,  as  well  as  any  other  spot  in  unbounded  space?  Per- 
sons are  too  apt  to  speak  of  these  separations  as  for  ever — ■ 
but  how  so  ?  If  those  who  have  gone  died  in  faith,  they  are 
now  inheriting  the  promises  ;  and  if  we  live  in  faith,  they 
are  to  us  infallibly  certain.  The  third  thing  which  gives 
poignancy  to  death,  is  that  we  have  no  sensible  intercourse 
with  the  departed — but,  though  not  sensible,  it  is  none  the 
less  real.  '  Are    they  not  all  ministering  spirits  ?'     And  is 


78  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

it  not  our  happiness,  my  brother,  to  number  amongst  them, 
many  of  our  own  nearest  and  dearest  kindred  ?  If  I  am 
deceived  in  these  ideas,  it  is  a  comfortable  delusion,  of 
which  I  trust  I  may  never  be  deprived." 


To  a  Niece  on  Confirmation. 

"Louisville,  August  28th,  1837. 
"  My  Dear  C , 

"  Once,  you  had  our  affection  for  your  father's  sake, 
now,  we  love  you  for  your  own  ;  and  it  is  our  heart's  de- 
sire and  prayer,  that  natural  affection  may  be  strengthened 
and  sanctified  by  Christian  love.  It  is  for  you,  dear  girl, 
to  say  whether  it  shall  be  so  or  not ;  and  we  have  our 
hopes,  that  you  have  already  answered  it  in  the  affirmative. 
We  have  heard  with  pleasure,  that  your  thoughts  have 
been  directed  to  the  important  subject  of  Confirmation.  In- 
deed we  gather,  that  by  this  time,  you  have  in  your  own 
person,  ratified  that,  which  your  sponsor  did  for  you  ;  and 
if  you  have,  it  is  no  unreasonable  thought  to  suppose  that 
the  spirit  of  her  who  bare  you,  and  of  him  who  stood  for 
you  in  baptism,  witnessed  and  heard  your  solemn  vow. 
If  they  did  not,  a  great  cloud  of  angels  did,  and  God,  the 
searcher  of  hearts,  did.  Is  it  done  ?  May  the  gracious 
Lord  indeed  make  you  His,  in  the  bonds  of  an  everlasting 
covenant !  Let  Him  hear  those  solemn  vows  daily  repeat- 
ed, and  may  He  give  you  grace  to  fulfil  the  same, 

'  Till  in  life's  latest  hour  you  bow, 
And  bless  in  death,  a  bond  so  dear.' 

"A  bond  so  dear  indeed !  A  bond  that  unites  vou  to 


LETTERS.  79 

your  kindred  in  Christ.  A  bond  which  unites  you  to  '  an 
innumerable  company  of  angels,  to  the  general  assembly 
and  Church  of  the  first-born,  and  to  God,  the  judge  of  all, 
and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect.' 

"  And  would  you  not,  dear  C,  gladly  separate  from  the 
world,  and  sin,  and  vanity,  for  such  a  union?  I  would 
rather  call  God  my  father,  and  holy  people  my  kindred, 
than  claim  affinity  with  kings.  May  God  thus  gather  in, 
first  one  and  then  another  of  your  dear  family,  until  all  are 
saved  with  an  everlasting  salvation.  Tell  them  that  this  is 
their  uncle's  desire  and  prayer, and  thus  let  them  be  assured 
of  my  best  love. 

"  Presuming,  dear  C,  that  you  have  taken  this  solemn 
step,  we  cannot  but  follow  you  in  our  thoughts  and  prayers, 
with  intense  anxiety.  This  is  our  anxiety,  that  you  may  lead 
the  rest  of  your  life  according  to  this  beginning.  I  say  we 
are  anxious,  because  you  have  only  just  began  the  Chris- 
tian race,  and  many  have  done  the  same,  who  have  never 
gained  the  prize.  There  is  the  ground  of  our  fear  :  but  mil- 
lions as  young,  and  partakers  of  the  same  nature,  have  been 
crowned  ;  there  is  the  ground  of  our  hope.  No.  I  recall 
that  last  sentence.  The  grace  of  God  is  all-sufficient — that 
is  the  ground  of  our  hope  ;  and  if  you,  dear  C,  will  allow 
self-diffidence,  and  unwavering  confidence  in  God,  to  attend 
you  through  life,  you  are  safe  ;  as  safe,  as  if  the  crown  of 
glory  were  on  your  head.  You  cannot  have  too  many  fears, 
too  much  distrust  of  yourself,  or  too  much  confidence  in 
God  ;  the  one  will  make  you  watchful,  the  other  prayerful, 
and  this  is  the  best  ground  on  which  you  could  stand, 

"  You  will  not  take  it  amiss,  if  I  tell  3'ou  what  we  have 
now  a  right  to  expect  from  you.  You  know  we  have  a 
right  to  expect  much.     We  do  not  look  for  perfection.     O, 


80  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

no  !  we  know  too  well  the  corruption  of  our  own  hearts. 
But  we  do  expect  that  religion  will  affect  you  in  every 
feature  of  your  character,  in  every  relation  you  sustain  in 
life ;  or  else  that  change  which  we  ascribe  to  grace,  is  un- 
worthy to  be  called  a  new  birth — a  new  creation.  Your  cov- 
enant engagements  require  you  to  be  a  better  daughter,  a 
better  sister,  and  a  better  member  of  the  Church.  Baptism 
made  you  a  member  of  the  Church  ;  in  Conformation,  you 
profess  to  be  a  living  member.  Now  all  this  will  require 
you  to  live  by  rule.  He  who  lives  without  rule,  is  like  a 
mariner  who  sails  without  a  compass,  chart  or  polar  star. 
Let  the  word  of  God  be  your  chart,  conscience  your  com- 
pass, and  the  glory  of  God  your  polar  star  to  steer  your 
course  by  ;  then  you  will  neither  make  shipwreck  of  faith 
nor  a  good  conscience.  Yours  will  be  a  prosperous  voyage, 
and  so  an  '  abundant  entrance  shall  be  ministered  to  you 
into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus 
Christ ;'  the  meaning  is,  you  shall  enter  heaven  like  a 
richly  laden  vessel  under  full  sail. 

"Your  aunt  has  just  brought  to  light  some  extracts, 
which  I  made  from  Bishop  Beveridge's  pious  thoughts, 
when  I  began,  as  I  trust  by  God's  grace,  to  lead  a  new 
life,  which  is  now  twenty-eight  years  ago.  They  will  aid 
me  in  saying  some  things  that  I  wish  to  say,  and  if  you  like 
the  specimens,  then  let  me  recommend  to  3-ou  the  whole 
work.;  I  think  you  will  find  it  in  3rour  father's  library. 
Concerning  his  general  conversation,  the  pious  Bishop 
says  ;  '  I  am  resolved  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  make  Christ 
the  pattern  of  my  life  here,  that  so  Christ  may  be  the  por- 
tion of  my  soul  hereafter.'  Concerning  his  thoughts.  'I 
am  resolved,  &c,  to  watch  as  much  over  the  inward  motions 
of  my  heart,  as  the  outward  actions  of  my  life.'     'I  am  re- 


LETTERS.  81 

solved,  &c,  to  be  always  exercising  my  thoughts  upon  good 
objects,  that  the  Devil  may  not  exercise  them  upon  bad.' 
Concerning  his  affections.  'I  am  resolved,  &c,  to  love  God 
as  the  best  of  gods,  and  to  hate  sin  as  the  worst  of  evils.' 
'  I  am  resolved,  &c,  to  desire  spiritual  mercies  more  than 
temporal ;  and  temporal  mercies  only  in  reference  to  spir- 
itual.' '  I  am  resolved,  &c,  to  hope  for  nothing  so  much  as 
the  promises,  and  to  fear  nothing  so  much  as  the  threaten- 
i?igs  of  God.'  '  I  am  resolved,  &c,  so  to  be  angry  as  not  to 
sin,  and  therefore  to  be  angry  at  nothing  but  sin.'  Concern- 
ing his  actions.  '  I  am  resolved  &c,  never  to  set  my  hand, 
my  head,  or  my  heart  about  any  thing  but  what  I  verily 
believe  to  be  good  in  itself,  and  will  be  so  esteemed  by 
God.'  Concerning  his  words.  '  I  am  resolved,  &c,  never 
to  speak  much,  lest  I  speak  too  much,  and  not  to  speak  at 
all  rather  than  to  no  purpose.' 

"  I  might  select  more,  but  these  will  be  enough  to  show 
you  what  you  ought  to  be,  and  what  it  is  your  happiness 
to  be.  And  oh !  my  dear  girl,  be  particularly  mindful  of 
the  manner  in  which  he  introduces  each  resolution — '  I  am 
resolved  by  the  grace  of  Goal ;'  that  is  the  great  secret  of 
Christian  holiness  :  and  if  ever  we  forget  it,  like  Peter  we 
shall  be  reminded  of  our  folly  by  our  sin.  And  while  you 
look  for  sanctification  by  the  grace  of  the  Spirit,  ever  look  for 
justification  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  and  thus  being 
justified  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  sanctified  by 
the  Spirit  of  our  God,  all  our  heart's  desire  will  be  ac- 
complished concerning  you. 

"  And  now  my  dear  C,  I  must  bring  this  to  a  close,  to 
allow  for  a  little  family  news,  which  your  aunt  has  agreed 
to  tell  you.  I  have  not  said  all  that  I  wished,  nor  as  I 
wished.  Interruptions  have  broken  up  my  ideas,  and  the 
thermometer  is  at  ninety.  Give  my  love  to  L.,  and  say  that 
6 


S2  REMAINS    OF     THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

some  day  I  shall  remember  her  in  this  way ;  in  the  mean- 
time, she  must  read  this,  as  though  it  were  to  herself. 
"  Your  ever  affectionate  uncle, 

"  Wm.  Jackson." 


To  another  young  friend  on  the  same  subject. 
;'  I  need  not  say,  my  dear  L.,  how  my  heart  rejoices  to 
hear  you  have  confirmed  the  act,  by  which  you  were  ad- 
mitted into  the  ark  of  Christ's  Chnrch.  This  is  my  prayer 
for  you,  that  the  Lord  may  shut  you  in  ;  and  that  through 
His  grace,  you,  '  being  steadfast  in  faith,  joyful  through 
hope,  and  rooted  in  charit}r,  may  so  pass  the  waves  of  this 
troublesome  world,  that  finally  you  may  pass  to  the  land  of 
everlasting  life,  there  to  reign  with  Him,  world  without 
end.'  You  will  ere  this,  have  seen  a  long  letter  I  wrote  to 
dear  C.  on  this  subject,  which  was  designed  for  }"ourself,  no 
less  than  for  her.  I  have  almost  forgotten  what  I  then  said  : 
all  that  I  remember  is,  that  I  aimed  to  give  such  hints,  as 
might  be  useful  to  young  Christians.  Let  me  now  remind 
you,  that  you  have  not  yet  attained,  you  have  but  just  begun 
to  make  gracious  attainments  ;  the  victory  is  not  won  ;  you 
have  but  just  buckled  on  your  heavenly  armour  ;  you  have 
not  reached  the  stature  of  a  man  in  Christ ;  you  are  but  just 
born  into  his  family.  A  young  Christian  is  like  a  little  child  ; 
a  newly  enlisted  soldier  ;  a  fresh  scholar  ;  and  just  as 
much  lies  before  him,  of  growth,  conflict,  stud}r,  as  before 
the  child,  the  soldier,  the  scholar,  before  he  '  apprehends  that 
for  which  he  is  apprehended  of  God,  in  Christ  Jesus.'  If 
you  ask  me  what  is  the  greatest  danger  to  which  young 
Christians  are  exposed,  I  should  answer,  pride.  They  are 
different  from  what  they  once  were,  they  differ  from  many 
around  them,  and  they  excite  the  interest,  and  have  the  es- 
teem of  pious  ministers  and  friends.     The  great  adversary 


LETTERS.  83 

takes  advantage  of  this,  and  too  often  leads  them  into  his 
own  condemnation,  and  makes  every  grace  a  snare.  The 
best  remedy  against  pride,  is  to  be  looking  much  into  our 
own  hearts,  making  frequent  visits  to  Calvary  and  Geth- 
semane,  and  reflecting  on  what  we  should  have  been  with- 
out the  grace  of  God.  Thus  holy  David  kept  himself  humble. 
'  Not  unto  us,  O  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but  unto  thy  name  give 
glory,  for  thy  mercy  and  for  thy  truth's  sake.' 

'  Lord,  forever  at  thy  side, 
Let  my  place  and  portion  be ; 
Strip  me  of  this  robe  of  pride, 
Clothe  me  with  humility.' 

"If  you  ask  what  are  the  best  means  to  grow  in  grace, 
I  answer,  to  grow  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  The  scriptures  testify  of  him;  the  scriptures  are 
the  '  face  of  Jesus  Christ.'  '  Christ,'  says  one,  '  is  so  ex- 
actly represented  in  the  Gospel,  that,  when  we  come  into 
his  personal  and  real  presence,  we  shall  be  able  truly  to 
sa}r,  '  this  is  indeed  the  person  who  was,  long  since,  in  his 
Gospel  so  clearly  exhibited  to  my  faith.'  Search  the  Scrip- 
tures then,  dear  L.,  that  you  may  find  Christ  in  them.  He 
is  in  them  every  where,  as  the  sun  is  every  where  in  the 
heavens,  but  He  shines  more  brightly  in  some  places  than 
in  others. 

"  To  reading  add  jnriycr.  Having  found  Christ,  let 
Him  not  go  till  He  has  given  you  a  blessing.  And  finall}', 
exercise  yourself  unto  godliness.  An  idle  Christian  cannot  be 
a  growing  Christian.  Godliness  is  godlikeness  :  to  be  like 
God  in  all  His  inimitable  perfections  ;  and  there  is  no  time, 
place,  nor  circumstance,  in  which  we  have  not  opportunity 
for  this  exercise.  Christ  was  as  holy  as  a  child,  as  the 
head  of  his  disciples  ;  in  His  trade,  as  in  His  ministry  ;    in 


84  REMAINb    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Nazareth,  as  in  Gethsemane.  The  exercise  of  godliness 
has  reference  to  our  tempers,  spirit,  behavior,  and  con- 
duct towards  others  in  doing  them  good.  But  I  must  not 
enlarge.  May  the  author  of  all  godliness,  perfect  in  you 
that  which  I  trust  He  has  begun. 


Extract. 
To  a  niece  on  the  death  of  her  sister. 

"  My  dear  C.  will  hardly  believe,  me  when  I  say,  it  has 
scarcely  been  possible  for  us  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
hers,  communicating  the  sad  intelligence  which  we  had  so 
long  been  anticipating.  It  came  to  hand  just  as  I  was  starting 
for  convention,  and  your  aunt,  whose  intention  it  was  to 
write  during  my  absence,  was  called  to  the  discharge  of 
other  duties.  Our  dear  little  Maria  was  taken  extremely 
ill,  so  much  so,  that  fears  were  entertained  for  her  recov- 
ery ;  but  God  has  been  better  to  us  than  our  fears  ;  she  is 
now  running  about,  quite  cheerful,  but  very  feeble ;  still 
we  do  not  flatter  ourselves  that  many  years  are  before  her. 
She  is  a  frail  flower,  and  a  sweet  one  too.  Too  sweet  to 
blossom  long  in  the  desert.  We  should  not  be  surprised  at 
any  time,  to  see  her  transplanted  to  a  more  genial  clime, 
where  so  many  of  our  kindred  are,  and  where  our  dear  S. 
now  is.  We  thank  3-ou  and  Wm.  H.,  for  the  minute  ac- 
count you  have  given  us  of  her  last  days. 

"You  do  not  know  how  happy  it  made  us,  to  learn  that 
she  '  gave  a  sure  pledge  at  the  end  of  her  days,  of  rising  in 
brighter  array.'  She  had  gained  a  strong  hold  upon  our  af- 
fections. She  was  lovely  without  grace,  (if  indeed  she 
could  be  said  to  be  destitute  of  it,  even  when  we  saw  her.) 
How  much  more  lovely  mast  she  have  been,  when  it  shone 


LETTERS.  85 

forth  brightly  in  her.  And  now  '  in  vain  the  fancy  strives 
to  paint'  what  she  is.  It  was  my  desire  to  preach  a  sermon 
on  the  occasion  of  her  death,  but  uncontrollable  circumstan- 
ces prevented.  My  text  would  have  been,  Sol.  Songs,  vi. 
2.  '  My  beloved  has  gone  into  his  garden,  to  gather  lilies.* 
Would  it  not  have  been  sweetly  suitable  ?  Was  there  not 
much  about  her,  resembling  that  lovely  flower,  in  sweet- 
ness, in  purity,  in  growth  ?  And  does  it  not  present  death  with 
a  lovely  aspect  ?  It  is  only  being  gathered  by  the  hand  of 
Christ,  and  that  not  to  wither  and  fade,  but  to  flourish  in 
paradise,  in  immortal  youth,  and  bloom  forever  in  unfading 
beauty, — the  beauty  of  holiness.  So  may  we  die.  Dear 
C,  let  such  examples  of  holy  living  and  holy  dying,  strength- 
en our  faith,  and  confirm  our  devoted ness  to  God.  It  will 
not  be  long,  till  we  are  called  to  pass  through  the  same  val- 
ley ;  whether  it  will  be  dark  and  gloomy,  or  light  and 
pleasant  to  us,  depends  entirely  upon  our  Christian  char, 
acter.  We  trust  that  you  have  all  profited  by  her  example 
in  life  and  in  death.' 


SERMON, 

PREACHED  ON  OCCASION  OF  THE  FUNERAL  OF  THE 

REV.  WILLIAM  JACKSON, 

BY  THE 

RIGHT  REV,  B.  B.  SMITH,, 

BISHOP   OF   THE   DIOCESE   OF   KENTUCKY. 


FUNERAL  SERMON. 


"  For  he  was  a  good  man,  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  md  of 
faith." — Acts   xi.  24. 

Character,  won  by  a  life  of  self-denial  and  usef  mess, 

is  a  more  precious  inheritance  to  be  left  behind  for  th  e  we 

love,  than  the  most  princely  estate  earned  during  a  areer 
ruinous  to  character  and  reputation. 

But  what  is  character  ?  No  term  is  more  comple  The 

foregoing  epithet  commonly  makes  it  plain  enough,  a  .vhen 

we  speak  of  a  good  character  or  a  bad.     But  witl  at  an 

epithet  it  is  even  more  expressive,  than  when  we  d  cribe 
it  as  an  exalted  or  almost  perfect  character. 

We  do  not  so  much  mean  by  it  goodness,  as  the  suits 

of  goodness  ;  nor  usefulness,  so  much  as  the  sprii  4  and 

sources  of  usefulness  ;  nor  influence,  so  much  as  tha  .hich 

is  the  true  secret  of  influence.  It  is  not  impressed  by  ture, 

though  its  original  elements  are   often  so  imparted  It  is 

not  the  sure  and  invariable  product  of  even  the  wis.  t  and 

best  education,  though  education  generally  has  muc  to  do 


90  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

with  it.  It  is  not  formed  by  principle,  for  itself  is  principle 
— nor  by  habit,  for  itself  moulds  and  fashions  all  good  and 
noble  habits  ;  and  yet  principle  and  habit  have  very  much 
to  do  in  its  formation.  It  is  a  compound  product,  the  result 
of  many  and  very  complex  causes.  But  in  the  highest  sense 
of  the  term,  character  is  strictly  a  Christian  article.  It  is 
formed  and  found  in  no  region  of  the  earth  which  the  Son 
of  Righteousness  has  not  enlightened,  and  the  influences  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  have  not  visited.  "  Good  man"  cannot  be 
written,  except  in  connexion  with  "  faith."  Character  can 
exi?t  in  no  heart,  not  "  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  Barnabas, 
amongst  his  people  and  in  his  age,  was  a  remarkable  cha- 
racter. But  he  was  not  a  solitary  specimen.  He  was  a 
sample  of  a  class.  As  many  in  that  age  and  country  or  in 
any  other,  of  whom  it  may  be  truly  written  they  were  "  full 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith,"  may  have  it  as  truly  writ- 
ten of  them,  that  "  they  were  good  men."  Of  no  others, 
however  distinguished  in  other  respects,  can  the  same  with 
truth  be  written.  Character  is  a  divine  impress  from  under  the 
broad  seal  of  heaven.  Whenever  or  in  whomsoever  formed, 
it  is  formed  by  the  Holy  Ghost  as  the  agent  and  faith  as  the 
instrument.  And  where  the  impression  is  clear,  where  all 
its  lines  are  deepby  cut  and  boldly  marked,  it  must  be  in  his 
case,  who  is  "  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith."  The 
more  of  a  good  thing,  the  more  of  its  blessed  results. 

I  dare  say  that  these  commendatory  remarks  upon  good 
old  Barnabas  were  written  or  at  least  published,  after  he 
was  dead  and  gone.  Otherwise,  perhaps  thev  might  some- 
what have  impaired,  even  in  him,  the  very  character  which 
the}  applaud.  Applaud  !  The  word  is  ill  chosen  !  I  should 
have  said  the  character  which  they  record.  For  the  object 
of  the  writer  evidently  is,  with  the  utmost  simplicity  and 
godly  sincerhy,  just  to  bear  testimony  to  what  he  knew  to 


FUNERAL     SERMON.  91 

be  true.  That  testimony  has  been  a  glorious  record,  ever 
since,  of  the  power  of  the  Gospel  in  the  formation  of  such 
characters  ;  and  a  most  glowing  persuasive  to  all,  who  feel 
within  them  noble  aspirations  after  goodness,  and  would  fain 
yield  themselves  to  be  moulded  in  the  mould  of  the  Gospel 
after  the  image  of  the  heavenly,  to  seek  for  it,  by  earnestly 
praying  "  to  be  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  faith." 
We  stand,  my  dear  friends,  by  the  side  of  a  coffin,  upon 
which  if  any  inscription  were  to  be  written,  it  would,  I  am 
sure,  be  written  with  great  simplicity  and  brevity,  but  with 
common  consent,  in  large  and  luminous  characters,  "  He 
was  a  good  man."  And  we  are  all  ready,  with  one  accord, 
to  ascribe  the  wonderful  secret  of  his  being  so,  to  the  same 
cause  now,  which  wrought  so  powerfully  in  early  times — 
because  he  was  "  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith."  And 
this  I  hope,  as  in  the  case  of  the  sacred  historian,  will 
exempt  me  from  the  censure  of  using  extravagant  panegy- 
ric, and,  misled  by  the  partialities  of  an  early  and  long 
tried  friendship,  of  depicting  an  unreal  character,  and  of 
ascribing  to  the  creature  the  honor  due  only  to  the  Creator, 
who  is  God  over  all,  blessed  for  evermore.  With  the  sad 
memorials  before  us  that  he  was  but  dust  and  ashes — with 
his  own  testimony  that  he  was  the  chief  of  sinners — with 
this  voice  from  God  that  his  estimate  of  his  lost,  fallen  and 
condemned  condition  was  but  too  correct,  in  that  he  has 
thus  awfully  exacted  of  him  the  penalty  of  being  a  sinner  ; 
who  are  we  that  we  should  praise  man  for  what  is  in  man ; 
or  rob  God  of  the  honor  which  is  His  due,  if  in  any  one 
solitary  instance  a  child  of  wrath  is  made  a  child  of  grace: 
— if,  as  in  the  case  of  your  beloved  Pastor — the  base  and 
sinful  character  which  had  oelonged  to  him,  as  a  child  of 
nature,  is  transformed  by  the  Holy  Ghost  through  faith  into 
a  model  which  this  whole  community  has  admired,  and  the 


92  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

impress  of  which,  made  upon  our  memories  and  our  hearts, 
we  shall  carry  with  us  and  bless  God  for,  to  the  latest  hour 
of  our  lives.  I  presume  that  what  I  am  about  to  say  will 
be  received  by  the  generality  of  hearers  as  partial  and  ex- 
travagant praise.  I  cannot  possibly  help  it.  If  it  be  so,  it 
is  simply  because,  by  the  grace  of  God,  facts  and  the 
truth  constitute  the  highest  eulogy.  But  if  so,  then  the 
praise  will  redound,  not  to  the  man  whose  sinful  nature  was 
all  along  opposed  to  the  developement  by  grace  of  these 
facts  ;  but  to  Him,  who,  out  of  a  miserable  lump  of  sinful 
clay,  was  pleased  to  form  our  dear  brother,  into  a  choice 
vessel  sanctified  and  meet  for  the  Master's  service. 

I.  The  sketch  I  am  about  to  attempt  must  of  necessity 
be  hurried  and  consist  only  of  a  few  bold  strokes  ;  but  the 
aim  will  be  thereby  to  place  before  you  a  resemblance  to 
the  life,  to  the  praise  of  God's  grace,  of  the  personal  and 
official  character  of  your  late  beloved  pastor. 

1.  There  was  about  him  a  singular  simplicity,  equally 
removed  from  pomp  and  pretence,  and  from  over  familiarity. 
It  was  his  passport  to  the  hearts  of  children,  for  he  was 
himself  light-hearted  and  guileless  as  a  child.  And  it  was 
his  ever  open  letter  of  recommendation  to  the  guileless  and 
the  good. 

2.  There  was  about  him  a  certain  noble  frankness  and 
openness  of  character,  which  disarmed  suspicion,  and  ex- 
empted him  from  the  necessity,  common  to  most  men,  of 
bringing  some  proof  of  what  he  said.  There  was  no  need 
of  it  in  him.  You  had  but  to  look  upon  his  face,  and  mas- 
sive truthfulness  stood  impressed  on  every  feature.  In  less 
skiliful  hands  his  frankness  would  now  and  then  have  left 
the  impression  of  bluntness — never  of  sternness.  But  the 
ever  thoughtful  kindness  of  his  heart  melted  down  his  native 
plainness  of  speech  to  a  captivating  honesty  and  sincerity. 


FUNERAL    SERMON.  93 

3.  There  was  ever  with  him  the  finest  play  of  all  hu- 
man sympathies  : — Indignation  against  wrong  done,  or  im- 
position intended,  or  unmerited  reproach  inflicted,  as  if  it 
had  been  an  injury  done  to  himself,  only  it  was  an  indigna- 
tion guarded  with  much  discretion  and  sweetened  with  all 
tenderness  ; — a  smile  to  reflect  the  smile  of  all  light-hear- 
tedness,  but  of  no  profane  frivolity ; — a  tear  to  answer  to 
every  other  tear  shed  by  a  wrung  heart  or  an  overflowing 
sympathy. 

4.  There  was  in  him  the  greatest  nobleness  of  disposi- 
tion. It  cost  him  no  effort  to  soar  above  all  littleness  of 
thought,  of  suspicion  or  of  inuendo.  He  was  above  it  always. 
To  forgive  injuries — to  speak  well  of  those  who  evil  entrea- 
ted him — to  do  the  kind  office  where,  in  return,  kind  office 
had  been  refused,  was  that  part  of  the  spirit  of  Christ  in 
him,  by  inspiring  him  with  which,  the  Holy  Spirit  had  ex- 
pelled and  well  nigh  utterly  eradicated  the  spirit  of  selfish- 
ness. 

5.  There  was  in  him  a  sweet  spirit  of  piety.  It  breath- 
ed in  his  blameless  yet  cheerful  conversation.  It  poured 
itself  forth  in  a  life  of  prayer.  It  animated,  as  a  divinity 
within,  all  his  thoughts,  words  and  actions.  It  moulded  his 
whole  character.  It  was  the  spring  and  fountain-head  of 
his  charities,  which  ever  flowed,  in  a  steady  stream,  and 
overflowed  towards  his  friends,  the  poor,  and  his  own  beloved 
Church.  Often  what  his  own  purse  could  not  do,  his  elo- 
quence could.  And  for  the  bible,  the  tract,  the  coloniza- 
tion, the  temperance,  the  Sunday  school,  and  the  mission- 
ary cause,  he  was  followed  by  large  and  liberal  contribu- 
tions, which  were  always  most  munificent,  when,  without 
respect  to  the  ability  of  the  giver,  they  bore  the  nearest  re- 
semblance in  amount  to  that  of  the  almost  penniless  plead- 


94  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.    WM,    JACKSON. 

er.*  But  remarks  like  these  will  fall  more  properly  under 
the  head  of  traits  of  his  official  character.  His  personal 
character  exerted,  of  course,  a  powerful  influence  in  the 
formation  of  his  ministerial  character. 

II.  This  was  very  discoverable  in  the  social  circle, 
which  his  fine  flow  of  spirits,  his  child-like  simplicity,  and 
his  overflowing,  warm  and  natural  sympathies  always 
greatly  enlivened.  At  whose  fire-side  was  he  not  welcome  ? 
Whose  domestic  circle  has  not  his  presence  made  glad  ? 
And  whose  social  affections  have  not  been  kindled  into  an 
heartier  and  healthier  glow,  by  being  warmed  b}>-  the  genial 

affections  of  his  heart  ?  • 

i 

1.  This  was  still  more  discernible  in  the  sick  room. 
His  native  gravity  and  sense  of  propriety  sat  well  upon  him 
there.  And  so  did  his  exquisite  and  shrinking  delicacy  of 
feeling.  But  there  his  human  sympathies  exalted,  purified, 
refined  by  religion  and  the  lofty  themes  which  revelation 
supplies,  found  their  fullest,  freest  play.  He  was  at  once 
compassionate  and  faithful,  frank  and  yet  considerate, 
sympathising  and  yet  not  recreant  to  any  unpalatable  duty# 
His  visits  were  always  welcome,  but  in  the  sick  room  they 
were  waited,  longed  for  and  gratefully  remembered,  almost 
as  if  they  had  been  the  visit  of  some  good  spirit  from  with- 
in the  veil,  which  separates  a  selfish  and  gross  world  from 
a  spiritual  and   a  benevolent.     His  large   experience  his, 

*  He  had  learned  early  in  his  ministy  by  means  of  the  precept  and  example  of 
a  dear  clerical  Brother,  afterwards  one  of  the  Foreign  Missionaries  of  the  Church 
the  divine  art  of  consecrating  one  tenth  of  his  income  to  the  service  of  the  dear 
Lord  who  had  bestowed  all,  and  infinitely  more  upon  him.  And  often  has  he  been 
heard  to  give  thanks  to  God  for  this  heavenly  teaching,  and  warmly  to  recommend 
tho  same  practice,  as  by  no  maans  too  high  a  standard  of  Christian  benevolence 
None  could  inspect  the  charity  account  which  oar  dear  Brother  kept  for  years 
without  emotions  of  wonder,  love  and  gratitude  ? 


FUNERAL    SERMON.  95 

stores  of  memory,  his  happy  narrative  and  illustration,  his 
copious  treasures  of  scriptural  truth,  his  tenderness  of  heart, 
his  fervency  of  devotion,  combined  to  make  him  the  most 
lovely,  estimable  and  useful  of  pastors,  in  the  sick  room. 

2.  And  what  a  minister  he  was  in  the  Sunday  School. 
Rich  in  that  love  of  simple  Bible-story  which  God  has  had 
purposely  written  for  the  benefit  of  little  children — happy 
in  those  illustrations  and  unadorned  expressions  which  rivet 
best  the  attention  of  the  young — but  above  all,  fresh  in  those 
pure  thoughts  and  warm  affections  which  made  him  a  child 
amongst  children,  alike  loving  and  beloved — he  had  a 
smile,  a  kind  word,  an  apposite  remark  for  every  child  in 
the  Sunday  school.  And  the  seed  which  the  Great  Hus- 
bandman sowed  here  by  his  hands,  look  you,  if  it  be  well 
watched  and  watered,  what  fruits  it  will  }*et  bring  forth  to 
the  honor  and  glory  of  God  ! 

3.  All  elements  of  character  in  him  gave  him  signal  in- 
fluence over  young  men.  They  could  not  look  upon  him  or 
hear  himepeak,  without  feelingthe  force  of  a  practical  illus- 
tration that  religion  is  not  the  gloomy  thing,  too  often  de- 
picted in  the  imaginations  of  the  frivolously  gay.  Interested 
in  him,  they  felt  a  doubtle  interest  in  his  preaching,  which 
varied  as  it  was  in  character  and  rich  in  scriptural  instruc- 
tion, possessed  the  additional  charm  of  simplicity,  refined 
taste  and  undoubted  earnestness  and  sincerity.  How  greatly 
God  blessed  his  labors  to  this  class,  let  the  records  of  all 
the  churches  he  ever  served  bear  witness — let  our  own  Sun- 
day school  in  its  corps  of  efficient  teachers,  and  the  roll  of 
our  aspirants  for  hoiy  orders  abundantly  testify.  Here  it  is, 
after  sympathizing  with  his  bereaved  family,  that  my  heart 
bleeds  most  under  a  sense  of  our  irreparable  loss.  That 
long  night  of  his  last  mortal  agony,  oh  !  how  was  my  heart 
overpowered  with  emotion,  when,  hour  after  hour,  I  saw 


96  REMAINS    OP    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

his  bed  literally  surrounded  by  the  young  men  whom  he 
was  wont  to  call  his  sons,  weeping  as  if  their  hearts  would 
break,  at  the  thought  of  a  final  separation,  as  to  this  world, 
from  their  spiritual  father,  their  faithful  counsellor,  and 
their  best  earthly  friend.  May  his  mantle  fall  upon  each  of 
them  !  May  it  be  their  study,  their  delight  and  their  prayer 
to  think,  to  speak,  to  be  and  to  do  whatever  they  are  con- 
scious would  be  most  pleasing  to  their  departed  pastor, 
were  he  permitted  to  watch  over  them,  where  he  has  gone, 
as  he  certainly  would  have  done,  had  he  been  spared  to 
us  !  And  out  of  their  number  may  more  than  one  arise  like- 
minded  with  this  "good  man,"  to  supply  his  lack  of  ser- 
vice to  the  church,  and  to  preserve  entire  the  succession  of 
faithful  pastors,  until  our  Lord  shall  come  ! 

I  had  designed  to  say  a  word  upon  his  character 
amongst  his  clerical  brethren,  which  was  singularly  frank, 
affectionate  and  kind  :  of  his  hospitality,  which  was  as  libe- 
ral as  his  heart  was  large  and  generous  ;  and  of  the  dig- 
nity, the  eloquence,  the  thrilling  interest  of  his  speeches 
from  the  platforms  of  the  great  benevolent  institutions  of 
our  land:  but  I  am  admonished  to  pass  over  these  and  a 
multitude  of  other  most  alluring  themes  of  discussion,  and 
to  confine  myself  to  a  brief  comment  upon  his  preaching. 
(1)  It  was  most  interesting,  keeping  alive  the  attention  of 
his  audience  without  efFort  and  without  weariness.  (2)  It 
was  various,  more  diversified  in  topics  than  that  of  any 
minister  I  remember  often  to  have  heard.  (3)  It  was 
solemn  and  in  earnest,  as  though  he  himself  believed  and 
felt  every  word  of  what  he  said,  and  was  intensely  anx- 
ious that  those  whom  it  most  concerned  should  believe 
and  feel  it  also.  (4)  It  was  persuasive  touching  every 
chord  which  vibrated  true  to  right  feelieg  and  the  immortal 
interests  of  men.     (5)  It  was  instructive,  far  beyond  the 


FUNERAL     SERMON.  97 

common  average,  and  specially  adapted  and  designed  to 
build  up  Christians  in  their  most  holy  faith.  (6)  It  was  sound 
and  scriptural,  abounding  in  the  truth  precisely  in  the  con- 
nexion and  in  the  proportions,  in  which  it  appears  in  Holy 
Writ.  No  dogmatist,  or  controversialist,  or  stout  polemic 
was  he.  Christ  Jesus  and  Him  crucified  was  his  great 
theme,  and  he  preached  Him  first — Him  last — Him  midst 
and  without  end,  as  mainly  anxious,  both  to  save  himself 
and  those  that  heard  him. 

Such  a  one  has  gone  to  his  rest.  He  is  not,  for  God  has 
taken  him.  Indeed  "he  was  a  good  man,  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  of  faith." 

Is  God  unrighteous  in  cutting  short  the  period  of  such 
a  one's  usefulness?  God  unrighteous,  in  taking  away  a 
precious  gift  which  we  never  deserved,  and  never  suffi- 
ciently prized !  God  unrighteous  to  take  his  own  weary, 
faithful  and  almost  worn-out  servant,  to  rest  with  himself  in 
Christ  Jesus  for  ever  !  God  unrighteous  to  reserve  a  gift, 
so  long  lent,  and  for  which,  so  precious  has  it  been,  eternal 
thanks  were  due  for  ever  so  short  a  loan  ! 

Nay,  friends  and  brethren,  soon  as  our  utterance  choked 
by  emotion  can  be  recovered,  let  us  give  thanks  to  God, 
through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  the  noble  character,  the 
bright  example,  the  holy  life  and  the  useful  labors  of  this 
dear  departed  brother,  whose  poor,  worthless  remains  we 
are  about  to  consign  to  the  tomb.  Let  us  give  thanks  to 
him  for  sin  pardoned,  grace  conferred,  Satan  vanquished, 
the  grave  conquered  and  an  heavenly  crown  gained,  for  this 
our  dear  brother,  through  a  crucified,  ascended  and  glori- 
fied Redeemer. 

One  thought  more  solemn  than  most  others  attends  his 
departure.  He  has  gone  before  you,  my  dear  hearers,  into 
the  presence  of  our  great   God  and  our  Saviour.     Is  it  as 


98  REMAINS    OE    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

your  accuser,  to  bear  witness  against  you  in  that  day,  that 
God  by  his  ministry  had  long  been  calling  upon  you,  but 
that  you  refused-— that  he  had  stretched  out  his  hand  and 
no  man  regarded  it  ?  Or  has  he  gone  before,  to  bear  record 
to  your  willing  obedience  to  the  Gospel,  in  the  presence  of 
all  his  beloved  people,  prepared  joyfully  to  exclaim,  "be- 
hold me,  and  the  children  whom  thou  hast  given  me?  " 

Let  us  more  than  ever  admire  and  prize  the  Gospel. 
With  more  passionate  ardor  let  us  cleave  to  the  Cross, 
preaching,  suffering,  living,  dying.  So  that,  at  the  last, 
pastors  and  people,  parents  and  children,  teachers  and  pu- 
pils, masters  and  servants,  bond  and  free,  high  and  low  to- 
gether may  all  experience  the  transforming  power  of  that 
Gospel  which  our  dear  dead  brother  loved  and  preached  ; 
experience  its  sublime  consolations  when  we  come  to  die, 
and  reap  that  reward,  upon  the  fruition  of  which  he  has 
already  entered,  when  time  with  us  shall  be  no  more. 

Now  unto  Him  who  is  the  first  and  the  last,  who  liveth 
and  was  dead,  and  who,  by  conquering  death  and  bringing 
life  and  immortality  to  light,  has  robbed  the  grave  of  its 
terrors  and  death  of  his  sting,  be  all  honor  and  glory,  as, 
with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost  is  most  justly  due,  now  , 
and  for  ever.     Amen. 


MINUTES  OF  CONVERSATION 

WITH  MR. — . 


January  23.    Having  heard  that  Mr.  ■ — -,  of 

was  at Boarding-house,  in  a  wretched  state  of  health, 

having  come  to  this  city  for  medical  advice,  and  desired  to 
see  me,  I  visited  him  to-day.  He  opened  the  conversation 
with  a  brief  statement  of  his  past  life  and  views  ;  that  his 
habits  had  been  strictly  moral,  always  under  some  sense  of 
religion,  but  that  his  mind  had  ever  been  fluctuating  as  to 
the  truth  of  revelation.  He  had  read  much  on  both  sides. 
After  investigating  the  evidences  in  its  favor,  he  had  fre- 
quently been  left  without  a  doubt ;  but  in  a  few  months,  he 
found  himself  as  much  under  the  influence  of  scepticism  as 
ever.  He  then  asked  my  reasons  for  believing  in  the  au- 
thenticity of  the  Old  Testament. 

Answer — Historic. 
Inquired    how  I   vindicated  God  from  the  charge  of 
cruelty,  as  regards    his  dealings  with  the  Egyptians,  and 
favoritism,  as  regards  the  Israelites. 

Answer — The  former,  on  the  ground  of  His  holy,  wise, 
and  just  government — the  latter,  on  the  ground  of  sovereign 
mercy,  in  rescuing  one  part  of  an  apostate  empire,  that  he 
might  ultimately  save  the  whole.     Illustrated  by  His  pre- 


100  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM,    JACKSON. 

sent  dispensations.  Some  nations  are  still  more  favored 
than  others,  &c.  Modern  nations  have  been  destroyed  ;  it 
matters  not,  as  regards  the  divine  character,  whether  it  be 
by  miracles,  or  in  the  ordinary  course  of  events.  I  urged 
the  dilemma  that  the  Scriptures  were  written  either  by  bad 
men,  or  by  good  men  uninspired,  or  by  good  men  inspired,  &c. 
This  he  seemed  to  feel. 

Urged  prayer  to  God  for  assistance,  on  the  ground  that,  if 
there  be  a  God,  He  can  and  will  help — that  we  have  cer- 
tain necessities,  and  if  they  are  not  met  in  the  word  of  God, 
they  are  not  met  at  all — we  need  comfort — we  are  sinners — 
we  desire  immortality.  He  asked  me  to  pray  for  him.  I 
proposed  to  pray  with  him,  and  concluded  my  visit  with 
prayer. 

January  24.  Conversation  at  first  turned  briefly  on  for- 
mer subjects — then,  on  affliction — the  special  providence  of 
God  apart  from  miraculous  interposition — whether  it  was 
airy  thing  apart  from  the  laws  of  nature.  I  gave  instances 
in  which  it  could  not  be  traced  up  to  any  law  of  nature ; 
as,  the  sudden  death  of  blasphemers — the  awful  end  of  per- 
secutors of  the  Church — the  preservation  of  the  Church  in 
opposition  to  the  power  and  malice  of  her  enemies. 

On  eternal  punishment.  His  objection  was  to  infinite  pun- 
ishment for  finite  offence.  I  stated  it  to  be,  punishment 
parallel  with  transgression — eternal  sinning  and  eternal  punish- 
ment. 

Traced  an  analogy  between  God  and  man  in  this  par- 
ticular. Parents  punish  so  long  as  the  offence  continues — 
governments  do  the  same.  They  draw  out  punishment 
through  existence,  when  the  case  requires  it ;  and,  if  the 
existence  continued  a  thousand  years,  so  would  the  punish- 
ment, should  the  individual  manifest  a  determination  to  of- 
fend still.     So  does  God.     This  seemed  to  satisfy  him. 


MINUTES    OF    CONVERSATION.  101 

On  the  happiness  of  the  Christian's  delusion,  if  it  be  a  de- 
lusion.    He  remarked  upon  it  strongly  and  sweetly. 

On  sins  of  omission,  which  he  felt ;  especially  his  omis- 
sion to  look  at  this  subject,  while  in  health,  more  than  he  had 
done. 

Concluded  with  prayer  by  his  invitation. 

January  25.  Found  Mr in  too  much  pain  to  con- 
verse. 

January  28.  Conversed,  on  the  world  in  which  there  is 
no  suffering,  because  there  is  no  sin.  He  responded  that  it 
was  delightful  to  those  who  had  the  prospect  of  entering 
there. 

On  the  province  of  reason  in  matters  of  religion.  I  re- 
marked, that,  as  reason  is  above  sense,  so  faith  is  above 
reason  ;  and  as  there  are  facts  which  reason  can  receive, 
but  sense  cannot,  so  there  are  divine  truths  which  faith  can 
receive,  but  reason  cannot  comprehend. 

On  the  evidence  of  the  authenticity  of  the  Scriptures, 
from  their  internal  purity,  (S.  Jenyns,)  and  from  prophecy. 
To  this  he  assented.     Concluded  with  prayer. 

February  1.  Mr. to  unwell  to  talk  much.  He  re- 
quested information  on  the  atonement.  I  read  him  an  ex- 
tract from  Bishop  Heber,  and  explained.  He  inquired  why, 
if  Christ  was  a  lamb  to  take  away  the  sin  of  the  world, 
were  not  all  saved  ?  I  explained  and  illustrated.  He  was 
much  struck  with  the  illustration  of  the  brazen  serpent. 

February  4.  Read  to  Mr.  the  account  of  Count 

Struenzis'  conversion,  which  seemed  to  interest  him  much. 
Conversation  turned  on  difficulties  still  remaining  in  his 
mind,  as,  if  the  Holy  Scriptures  were  so  important,  why  did 
they  not  come  to  us,  with  all  the  force  of  mathematical  de- 
monstration? I  entered  somewhat  into  the  nature  of  evi- 
dence— directed  his  mind  to  truths  connected    with,  and 


102  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKSON. 

preparatory  to,  further  consideration  of  the  doctrine  of  the 
atonement — such  as,  man's  guilt  and  condemnation. 

February  6.    Read  from  Gurney  on  the  Atonement  to 

Mr. .  Endeavored  to  show  him,  that  the  Gospel  alone 

teaches  how  God  can  be  just,  and  the  justifier  of  the  un- 
godly ;  that,  without  the  Gospel,  we  must  be  shut  up  in 
despair.  I  asked  him,  after  prayer,  if  he  prayed  for  him- 
self. He  said  he  did,  and  added  that  he  felt  an  increasing 
pleasure  in  contemplating  these  subjects,  and  was  happy  to 
say  he  found  himself  escaping  from  the  "  meshes  of  scep- 
ticism." 

February  7.  Found  Mr. too  unwell  to  hear  or  say 

much.  I  presented,  as  further  evidence  of  the  truth  of 
revelation,  a  rapid  sketch  of  the  prophecies  which  had  re- 
ceived their  accomplishment  in  Christ,  which  much  struck 
his  mind.  I  then  pressed  the  authority  of  Scripture,  as 
evidence  for  the  truths  to  be  believed. 

February  11.  Read  to  Mr. the  epistle  and  exhorta- 
tion contained  in  the  Visitation  of  the  Sick.  He  expressed 
his  pleasure  in,  and  gratitude  for,  my  visits,  &c.  &c. 

February  12.  Very  interesting  visit.     Found  Mr.  

more  at  ease.  Read  Tract  on  Regeneration,  (of  A.  T.  S. 
vol.  iv.  41.)  After  hearing  the  evidences,  he  said — "  If  these 
are  the  marks  of  regeneration,  then  I  trust  my  heart  is 
changed."  "  I  would  not  change  situations  with  many  of 
my  old  friends,  who  are  in  health  and  prosperity."  This 
strongly  contrasted  with  his  language,  when  I  first  visited 
him ;  then,  he  spoke  as  if  he  could  not  see  how  God  could 
be  good  and  merciful,  and  afflict  him  so  severely.  Said  he 
had  rather  be  a  "Christian  in  a  cottage,  than  an  ungodly 
man  in  a  palace."  I  adverted  to  the  fact  that  regeneration 
was  a  great  change.  That,  he  said,  made  him  fear.  I  then 
remarked  that  grace  might  be  real,  though  small ;  and  show- 


MINUTES    OF    CONVERSATION.  103 

ed  him  how  God  advanced  the  work,  and  especially  through 
the  instrumentality  of  affliction,  quoting  Mai.  iii.  3.  "Does  it 
say  so?"  he  asked,  "I  have  been  thinking  that  He  connect- 
ed with  His  atonement  a  process  of  purification — an  alem- 
bic." Said,  "  I  have  often  determined  to  suffer  heroically, 
now,  I  desire  to  suffer  patiently.  I  have  frequently  desired 
death  that  I  might  be  freed  from  pain,  now  I  begin  to  look 
forward  to  it  for  a  better  end."  We  prayed  together ;  at 
parting  he  gave  my  hand,  as  usual,  a  most  affectionate 
grasp. 

February  14.    Found  Mr.  in   comparative  ease. 

He  began  our  conversation  by  expressing  his  resignation 
to  God's  will,  and  the  comfortable  hope  he  entertained  that 
his  "peace  was  made  with  God."  I  directed  him  to  Christ 
as  "our  peace."  His  hope,  he  said,  was  in  him.  He  alluded, 
with  great  satisfaction,  to  the  articles  I  had  read  on  the 
atonement  and  regeneration.  I  directed  his  thoughts  to 
the  fruits  of  the  spirit — "Love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering," 
&c,  as  the  only  evidences  of  regeneration.  He  begged 
me  to  repeat,  and  spoke  of  his  own  state  with  regard  to 
them. 

I  admonished  him  that  the  enemy  might  yet,  and  pro- 
bably would,  greatly  assail  him,  and  directed  him  to  the 
proper  weapon  for  repelling  his  attacks — -faith  in  God's  word. 
This  led  to  a  talk  on  faitji,  in  which  grace,  he  felt  himself, 
he  said,  "the  fullest  and  most  deficient."  Conversation,  at 
one  period,  turned  upon  those  things  which  were  hard  to  be 
understood.  I  remarked  that  they  were  arguments  in 
favor  of  religion,  rather  than  against  it.  In  nature,  we  find 
many  things  beyond  our  comprehension  ;  in  a  religion  from 
God,  we  might  expect  the  same.  Were  there  nothing  be- 
yond the  power  of  the  mind  of  man  to  grasp,  there  would 


104  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

be  nothing  that  he  might  not  create.     Mr. said,  when 

a  child  he  asked  his  father  many  questions  to  which  he  re- 
ceived answers  which  he  could  not  then  comprehend,  but 
he  believed  because  his  father  said  it,  and  he  has  since  been 
able  to  comprehend  them.  It  would  have  been  a  sin,  and 
an  insult  to  his  father,  not  to  have  believed  him  when  he 
could  not  comprehend  him,  and  it  would  be  a  sin  and  in- 
sult to  God,  to  disbelieve  Him  because  it  was  beyond  the 
reach  of  his  comprehension. 

There  is  an  evident  increase  of  confidence  in  the  word 
of  God.  He  manifested  great  axiety  for  his  relatives,  and 
begged  that  I  would,  in  case  of  his  death,  give  them  as 
minute  an  account  as  possible  of  our  conversation.  He  hoped, 
from  the  confidence  they  had  in  him,  that  it  might  be 
blessed  to  them.  They  knew  his  truth  and  integrity,  he 
said,  and  added,  "  I  speak  it  without  vanity,  for  I  have  none 
now,"  and  it  may  lead  them  to  be  careful  for  their  salvation. 
"  They  are  all  moral,"  he  continued,  "but  that  will  not  do — 
morality  and  religion  are  two  things.  They  may  be  moral 
without  religion,  but  they  cannot  be  religious  without 
morality."  I  remarked,  that  some  were  moral  from  fear ; 
some  from  regard  to  reputation ;  but  religious  people  were 
moral  from  their  love  to  the  character  of  God  and  His  law, 
and  we  could  easily  appreciate  the  difference.  "Yes" — 
he  replied — "there  is  my  servant,  if  he  obeyed  me,  and 
served  me  from  fear,  I  should  have  no  respect  for  him  ;  but 
I  know  that  he  is  kind  to  me  in  my  helpless  state,  from  love 
and  respect,  and  I  love  him  as  a  brother." 

He  then  requested  to  be  instructed  in  the  sacraments  of 
the  Church — Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper.  He  had  not 
been  baptized,  and  had  doubts  as  to  the  propriety  of  any 
mode  but  immersion,  which  we  discussed.     He  expressed 


MINUTES    OF    CONVERSATION.  105 

his  unwillingness  to  depart  in  any  iota,  from  the  divine 
directions — a  pleasing  tenderness  of  conscience.  Conclud- 
ed as  usual  with  prayer. 

February  1 6.  Time  chiefly  occupied  to  day  in  discus- 
sing the  mode  of  baptism. 

February  17.  Found  Mr. too  unwell  to  pursue  the 

above  subject,  and  proposed  to  pray  with  him,  to  which  he 
assented,  saying  that  he  found  it  more  comforting  and  re- 
freshing than  discussing  topics.  He  found  his  views,  feel- 
ings, and  wishes,  were  better  expressed  in  prayer,  than  in 
conversation.  After  prayer  he  remarked,  that  formerly, 
during  the  best  prayers,  his  thoughts  would  constantly 
wander,  but  now  he  found  his  mind  firmly  fixed.  He  ad- 
verted feelingly  to  a  confession  I  had  made,  respecting  our 
weakness  and  insufficiency — said  how  exactly  it  correspond- 
ed to  his  own  experience.  I  illustrated  the  folly  of  leaning 
to  our  own  strength  by  the  case  of  Peter,  which  was  new 
to  him  and  struck  him  forcibly.  The  conversation,  though 
short,  turned  profitably  and  pleasantly  on  our  state  as 
guilty,  weak,  blind  creatures,  and  the  provision  made  for 
us,  as  such,  in  Christ. 

February  19.  Summed  up  the  argument  on  the  mode  of 

baptism.     Mr. confessed  that  the  arguments  in  favor 

of  immersion  were  not  so  strong  as  he  had  thought ;  still, 
were  he  in  health,  he  thought  he  should  prefer  that  mode  as 
being  admitted  on  all  sides  to  be  right ;  bat  that,  in  his 
case,  he  had  no  alternative  between  affusion,  or  no  baptism. 
Said  it  did  not  appear  to  him  that  God  would  so  institute 
an  ordinance,  that  it  could  not  be  enjoyed  by  all.  We  next 
proceeded  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity.  Before  entering 
upon  it,  we  prayed  for  divine  guidance  and  illumination. 

After  reading  to  him,  on  the  subject,  Mr. remarked, 

that  it  was  beyond  doubt  a  scriptural  doctrine;  that,  according 


106  REMAINS   OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

to  his  view  of  the  atonement.,  Christ  must  be  divine.  He  mani- 
fested a  mind  submissive  to  the  testimony  of  the  word,  and 
said  that  he  apprehended  these  subjects,  in  a  manner  very 
different  from  what  he  once  did  :  once  his  mind  was  always 
arguing  against  them,  now,  he  found  himself  arguing  for 
them.  Pleasant  interchange  of  thoughts  passed  respecting 
the  world,  where  everlasting  spring  abides,"  and  on  that 
hope  which  is  an  "anchor  to  the  soul." 

February  22.  Have  not  seen  Mr. for  some  days, 

owing  to  indisposition  and  engagements.  Visited  him  this 
morning — found  him  suffering  greatly  with  pain  in  his  eyes 
— he  could  not  converse  but  could  hear.  I  read  first 
Timothy,  first  chapter,  and  spoke  on  verses  15  and  16 ; 
then  proposed  to  read  the  Tract, "  Conversion  of  Rochester," 
as  an  illustration  of  the  apostle's  declaration,  "This  is  a 
faithful  saying,"&c,  and  one  that  might  prove  edifying. 
Mention  being  made  of  the  instruction  the  Earl  found  in 

Isaiah  liii.,  Mr. requested  me  to  read  it.     "Well,"  said 

he,  "I  did  not  know  that  there  was  so  much  about  Christ 
in  the  Old  Testament.  In  truth,  I  have  held  that  portion 
of  the  Scriptures  in  perfect  contempt :  my  reading  has  been 
confined  to  the  New  Testament ;  the  other  I  have  consider- 
ed a  pack  of  nonsense  and  fables ;  but  now,  I  see  that  no 
man  can  examine  the  one  without  the  other.  They  make  a 
whole  of  perfect  beauty  and  symmetry.  Oh !  if  my  life 
should  be  spared,  what  pleasure  shall  I  take  in  reading 
them,  and  comparing  the  one  with  the  other.  The  manner 
in  which  you  brought  together  the  prophecies  relating  to 
Christ,  and  the  accomplishment  they  received  in  him,  forced 
conviction  upon  my  mind  which  I  could  not  resist.  It  ought 
to  be  shown  to  every  one.  I  believe  the  Scriptures.  I 
cannot,  I  dare  not  doubt  them  ;  but  my  faith  is  small." 
He  used  the  word  believe,  for  the  conviction  of  the  under- 


MINUTES    OF    CONVERSATION.  107 

standing  ;  faith  for  the  credence  of  the  heart.  "Now,"  he 
added,  "I  have  a  more  realizing  sense  of  the  presence  of 
God  ?  I  can  pray  to  Him  as  one  that  hears  me  ;  formerly, 
I  prayed  as  to  a  nonentity.  I  was  like  one  speaking  on  the 
sea-shore — heard  by  no  one — not  hearing  myself." 

At  the  conclusion  of  my  visit,  he  alluded  fo  fresh  sorrow, 
which  had  come  upon  him,  and  which  he  would  detail  at 
another  time.  "  The  last  link,"  said  he  is  broken  ;  I  knew 
that  friends  must  be  taken  from  me  or  I  from  them,  but" 

I  proposed  to  pray.  When  I  rose,  he  said,  "you  have 
expressed  my  feelings." 

March  6.     Having    been  absent  from  home,  have  not 

seen  Mr. ,   since  the  last  date.     Before  leaving,  sent 

him  "  Wilberforce's  Practical  View."  Spoke  of  it  with 
gratitude — said,  he  had  never  read  any  thing  which  probed 
his  heart  and  conscience  more — thought  it  enabled  him  to 
know  himself  better — remarked  Wilberforce  wrote  like  a 
scholar,  a  gentleman,  a  philanthropist  arid  a  Christian. 

March  9.  Called  on  Mr. ,  but  had  not  much  con- 
versation. He  alluded  again  to  Wilberforce,  and  remarked 
that  he  needed  nothing  for  instruction  but  that  work,  my 
conversation,  and  the  Bible.  Said  he  would  not  exchange 
his  present  situation,  with  his  present  views  and  feelings, 
for  past  health  and  prosperity,  without  them. 

A  manifest  change  exhibits  itself  in  his  temper  and  dis- 
position, in  regard  to  his  sufferings.  "  I  was,"  said  he, 
"  hardened  by  them  ;  now,  I  trust  I  feel  quiet  and  submis- 
sive." Read  him  the  baptismal  service  for  adults,  which 
led  to  some  interesting  conversation.  Prayed  and  took  my 
leave. 

March  11.    Long  conversation  on  the  subject  of  theatres, 


108  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

growing  out  of  Wilberforce — stated  his  passion  for  them — 
confessed  that  the  amusement  would  not  be  so  popular  if  it 
were  more  moral — said  his  views  concerning  them  were 
changed.  Reverted  to  the  affliction,  to  which  he  alluded  in 
a  former  visit,  and  entered  more  at  large  into  his  personal 
history.  At  one  time,  every  thing  prospered  with  him.  "  I 
often  wondered,"  said  he,  "  whether  such  prosperity  could 
continue  without  an  alloy,  and  now  the  answer  has  come,  in 
many  forms."  ******** 
I  directed  him  to  cast  all  his  care  upon  God,  "  who  careth 
for  us."  He  asked  me  to  repeat  the  hymn,  which  I  had 
before  began,  "  I  would  not  live  alway."  Prayer  as 
usual. 

March  14.  Conversation  turned  on  the  peculiarities  of 
our  Church — its  constitution,  ministry,  worship,  and  obser- 
vances. 

March    15.     Mr. expressed  a  wish  for  the  day  of 

his  baptism  to  be  fixed.  Said  that  he  had  his  fears,  but  the 
desire  was  in  his  heart ;  he  wished  it  earnestly.  Gave  a 
connected  statement  of  his  views  and  feelings.  Said  he 
could  not  profess  such  excitement  as  some  did,  nor  such 
love,  nor  such  joy  ;  but  he  believed  the  testimon}'  concern- 
ing Christ,  he  rested  upon  Him,  he  gave  his  heart  to  Him, 
he  wished  to  live  to  him,  to  honor  Him  as  he  had  opportuni- 
ty. Said  his  feelings  were  so  changed,  in  regard  to  prayer, 
that  he  hoped  his  heart  was  changed.  "  I  not  only  pray 
steadily,"  added  he,  "  but  as  often  as  my  heart  is  drawn 
to  it,  I  find  delight  and  refreshment  in  it."  I  read  him  the 
greater  part  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians,  which  drew 
forth  some  inquiries,  especially  on  ii.  8.  "  By  grace  are  ye 
saved,"  &c.  Prayed  with  him,  and  exhorted  him  in  refer- 
ence to  his  approaching  baptism  ;  reminded  him  that  God 


MINUTES   OF    CONVERSATION.  109 

required  true  grace,  not  any  specific  measure,  nor  had  He 
any  uniform  mode  of  working  on  the  heart.  Illustrated  this, 
by  the  cases  of  Lydia  and  the  jailor. 

March  16.  Final  visit  preparatory  to  Mr. Ts  bap- 
tism. I  read  him  Rom.  viii.  chap.,  and  my  sermon  on  ver. 
1st.  as  suitable  on  the  occasion.  Conversation  then  turned 
on  a  more  sacramental  union  with  Christ.  Mr.  ex- 
pressed his  fear  of  self-deception  and  his  ground  of  hope. 
Said  he  was  willing  to  renounce  all  sin  and  vanities — that 
he  desired  to  live  to  God  ;  that  his  only  hope  was  in  Christ. 
"  His  coming  into  the  world,"  he  said,  "  showed  that  he 
had  some  great  end  in  view  ;  and  no  end  was  worthy  of 
Him,  but  to  be  the  Saviour — the  only  Saviour  of  sinners  ; 
my  confidence  is  in  Him  alone."  I  spoke  of  the  privileges 
of  spiritual  union  with  Christ,  which  he  said  met  his  "  feel- 
ings and  necessities."  We  then  went  through  the  ques- 
tions in  the  baptismal  service,  and  other  particulars  pre- 
paratory to  the  administration  of  the  sacraments. 

A  pleasing  interview — manifestly  clearer  views  of  the 
plan  of  salvation,  and  cordial  aquiescence  in  it.  Less  talk 
about  his  sufferings,  at  least  in  a  way  of  complaining. 

March  17.     Baptized  Mr. .  Present,  Mrs.  J.,  Rev. 

Mr.  C,  Mr.  S.   and  a  few  others.     Solemn    and   delightful 

service.     Mr. did  not  talk  much,  but  said  he  trusted  he 

was  prepared.  The  dark  room  and  glimmering  light,  seemed 
to  represent  the  darkness  of  nature,  and  the  light  shining 
in  a  dark  place  ;  while  the  almost  sightless  sufferer  brought 
forcibly  to  mind,  the  spiritual  blindness  from  which  he  had 
just  emerged. 

March  23.     Visited  Mr. several  times  during  the 

past  week.  Found  his  mind  very  tranquil.  Said  it  seemed 
to  him  that  he  never  could  be  overcome  of  unbelief  again. 


110  REMAINS    OP    THE    REV.   WM.   JACKSON. 

I  reminded  him  of  Peter's  case,  and  charged  him  to  "  be- 
ware of  Peter's  word,"  nor  confidently  say,  "  I  never  will 
forsake  thee,  Lord,"  but  "grant  I  never  may."  He  replied, 
"yes,  I  remember  it — I  remember  your  allusion  to  our 
weakness  in  one  of  your  prayers,  and  have  feared  it  since." 
I  directed  his  mind  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  respecting  which, 
as  to  its  obligations  and  benefits,  he  was  lamentably  igno- 
rant. My  visits  this  week  have  been  occupied  mainly  on 
these  points.  Signs  of  growth  in  grace  are  evident.  Re- 
ceived from  him  many  warm  expressions  of  gratitude  and 
love. 

Sunday,  March  24.  Administered  the  Lord's  Supper 
to  Mr -.  Present,  a  few  particular  friends,  as[at  his  bap- 
tism.    He  said  little,  but  appeared  to  be  deeply  affected. 

March  25.  Asked  Mr. how  he  enjoyed  the  ser- 
vices, in  which  we  were  engaged  yesterday.  "  Oh  !  "  said 
he,  "  it  was  deeply  affecting  ;  I  was  very  much  moved  ;  it 
seemed  to  bring  Christ  crucified  near  to  me — nearer  than  I 
could  have  imagined.  Perhaps  my  situation  affected  me. 
It  is  the  last  time  I  can  ever  expect  to  enjoy  the  privilege." 
I  then  endeavored  to  show  him  how  he  might  and  must 
hold  communion  with  God,  without  the  aid  of  sacraments 
• — by  prayer,  by  meditation,  by  the  word.  Thus  God 
speaks  to  us  and  thus  we  speak  to  Him.  Thus  he  gives 
and  we  receive. 

March  26.     A  short  but  most  interesting  interview.  I 

read  Mr. my  sermon   for  next  Good  Friday  ;  Luke 

xviii.  31 — 33.  "  Nothing,"  said  he  "  could  have  suited  me 
better ;  I  want  such  enlightening,  such  instruction.  It  is 
the  great  subject  with  me  now.  How  much  is  His  death 
jo  be  esteemed  even  beyond  that  of  martyrs !  He  died  vol- 
untarily"    I  said,   "  it  is  a  precious  truth,  if  he  be  ours 


MINUTES   OF    CONVERSATION.  Ill 

by  faith."  He  replied,  "  I  have  no  other  trust  ;  all  my  hope 
is  there.  I  do  not  know  how  it  may  appear  to  those  in 
health,  but  to  me  it  appears  that  there  is  nothing  else  worth 
possessing."  I  asked  him  if  his  faith  in  Christ  produced 
any  change  in  his  feelings,  with  regard  to  his  sufferings  ; 
to  which  he  replied,  "  I  find  this  difference — once  I  scorned 
to  complain,  I  was  too  proud  to  murmur,  I  was  determined 
to  suffer  like  a  soldier.  Now  I  desire  to  be  quiet  and  sub- 
missive, to  suffer  like  a  Christian.  God,  he  continued,  has 
been  more  merciful  to  me  than  I  would  have  been  to  my- 
self. I  have  desired  many  times  to  take  away  my  life,  and 
would  have  done  it,  but  for  certain  circumstances  which 
restrained  me ;  and  God  has  kept  me  hitherto,  to  bring  me 
to  this  state  of  mind."  I  reminded  him  of  parallel  cases  in 
Cowper  and  the  jailer.  Then  we  adverted  to  death,  and  I 
mentioned  the  promise,  "  when  thou  passeth  through  the 
waters,  I  will  be  with  thee,"  &c. ;  to  which  he  responded, 
"it  is  my  desire  to  die  like  a  Christian.".  I  cannot  remember 
all  of  his  expressions,  nor  any  of  them  in  their  full  strength 
and  propriety.  We  spent  a  few  precious  moments  in  pray- 
er. The  duties  of  the  week  (Passion-week)  pressed  upon 
me,  and  compelled  me  to  leave,  though  it  would  have  been 
a  feast  to  stay. 

March  27.  Speaking  of  the  Scriptures,  Mr. remark- 
ed, that  though  he  had  previously  some  knowledge  of  them, 
yet  that  now  they  had  a  value  to  him  he  never  perceived 
before ;  all  seemed  to  have  become  new.  He  requested 
to  hear  the  account  of  our  Saviour's  death—"  for  that," 
said  he,  "is  the  precious  subject  to  me  now." 

March  29.    Mr. requested  me  not  to  forget  him 

in  my  prayers.  "  I  see  their  value,"  he  said  ;  "once  I  did 
not.  Pious  ministers  have  visited  me,  but  I  never  asked 
them  to  pray  for  me,  for  I  thought  there  was  no  efficacy 


112  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.  JACKSON. 

in  prayer.     Once,    when  ill  of  a  bilious  fever,   Mr. 

visited  and  prayed  for  me  in  an  adjoining  room  ;  he  prayed 
earnestly  for  my  conversion:  I  thanked  him  for  his  prayer, 
but  felt  astonished  that  a  man  of  his  sense  could  think 
it  would  be  of  any  avail ;  but  I  trust  it  is  answered  ;  and 
now  I  desire  the  prayers  of  Christian  friends." 

April  4.  Mr. took  his  departure  for  his  home.     He 

came,  he  said,  in  quest  of  health,  and  he  trusted  he  had 
found  salvation.  Took  a  view  of  God's  providence  in 
bringing  him  to  this  place,  that  he  might  learn  the  way  of 
salvation.  Spoke  with  strong  feelings  of  affection  and  gra- 
titude to  myself.  We  prayed  together,  in  the  hope  that 
our  next  meeting  would  be  before  the  throne  of  glory. 
I  gave  him  "  Wilberforce's  Practical  View,"  purchased  a 
Prayer-Book  for  him,  gave  him  a  number  of  Tracts,  and 
ordered  for  him  the  "  Episcopal  Recorder."  With  these, 
he  said,  and  the  Bible,  he  would  have  enough  to  read. 

In  one  of  my  former  visits,   he  asked  our  reasons  for 
Infant  Baptism,  which  I  gave  him. 


Thus  ends  one  of  the  most  interesting  cases,  taken  in 
all  its  circumstances,  that  God  has  in  his  providence  ever 
brought  under  my  immediate  notice.  May  the  last  day 
sohw,  that  the  salvation  of  a  soul  is  the  blessed  result ! 


SERMONS. 


SERMONS  . 


SERMON  I. 

"  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  accept <  >  n, 
that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  V)  save  sinners."  — 
1  Tim.  i.  15. 

"  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  " — what  a  vi  >>r! 
"  To  save  sinners" — what  an  errand. 

That  a  sovereign  should  visit  every  part  of  his  p  ice 
is  not  surprising.  That  he  should  visit  such  parts  his 
empire  as  may  promote  his  pleasure,  gratify  his  cm;  \y, 
or  advance  his  security,  would  not  be  astonishing. 

But,  that  he  should  go  into  a  revolted  province,  ai  mg 
rebels,  alone  and  unarmed  to  dwell,  might  well  amaz*   us. 

Thus  did  Christ.  He  left  his  throne  and  came  i  a 
world,  which  indeed  was  once  a  paradise,  not  unwi  !iy 
his  Divine  Majesty,  when  he  might  "  come  as  into  his  ga  rden 
and  gather  myrrh,  and  spice,  and  all  precious  fruits ;"  but 
now  it  is  a  waste,    all  grown  over  with  thorns  of  sin,   mid 


116  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

strange  vines  bringing  forth  sour  grapes  ;  and  every  man 
in  it  is  an  unprofitable  husbandman — a  Cain,  sent  to  wan- 
der through  it,  with  the  mark  of  infamy  on  his  brow. 

And  how  does  he  come  ?  Not  in  clouds  and  great  glory, 
not  with  ten  thousand  of  his  saints;  but  in  our  form  and 
likeness — as  a  man,  and  that  too,  a  man  of  sorrows.  He 
never  spake  of  His  royalty,  but  it  was  to  be  mocked.  He 
never  assumed  regal  dignity  but  once,  and  then  "  in  meek- 
ness and  lowliness,  riding  upon  an  ass,  and  upon  a  colt  the 
foal  of  an  ass ;"  and  his  only  regalia,  a  mock  sceptre,  a 
robe  of  scorn,  and  a  crown  of  thorns. 

None  would  ever  have  known  him  to  be  a  King,  had  not 
angels  honored  his  birth,  and  had  not  the  Father  proclaimed 
from  His  excellent  glory,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son." 

And  for  what  does  he  come  ?  To  save  sinners.  How 
worthy  the  errand  even  of  divinity  itself  !  That  he  should 
have  appeared  to  punish  sinners  would  have  been  no 
marvel;  but  that  he  should  come  to  save  them  is  a  "  mys- 
tery angels  desire  to  look  into."  Once  he  descended  from 
His  throne  of  glory  to  make  -a  world — now  he  comes  to  re- 
deem one.  Once  he  came  to  drive  sinners  out  of  Paradise, 
and  to  curse  them  and  the  ground  for  their  sake — now,  to 
open  the  gates  of  a  better  paradise,  and  to  bless  them  with 
the  blessings  of  the  "  upper  and  the  nether  springs  !  "  Once 
he  came  to  destroy  man  from  the  face  of  the  earth,  because 
"  the  cry  of  his  sins  had  come  up  before  him."  Now  he 
comes  to  take  those  sins  on  his  shoulders,  and  bear  them 
away  into  the  land  of  forgetfulness.  Once  he  came  with  a 
fiery  law  in  his  hand.  Now  he  comes  "  full  of  grace  and 
truth."  Henceforth  "  Glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest,  and 
on  earth  peace,  good-will  towards  men." 

He  came  to  save  shiners — not  the  unfortunate,  but  the 


SERMONS.  117 

guilty — not  the  objects  of  pity  merely,  but  the  subjects  of 
blame  and  condemnation.  There  is  nothing  in  man  to  claim 
his  intervention ;  every  thing  to  excite  his  wrath. 

And  at  what  a  price  !  under  what  humiliation,  what 
shame,  what  sufferings,  does  he  carry  out  his  purposes  of 
love  !  When  he  came  to  create,  it  was  but  to  speak  and  it 
was  done.  When  he  came  to  punish,  it  was  but  to  frown 
and  "  the  fountains  of  the  great  deep  were  broken  up,  and 
the  clouds  rained  down  snares,  and  fire  and  brimstone,  and 
a  horrible  tempest."  But,  when  he  comes  to  redeem,  if  he 
speak  he  is  "  smitten,  and  buffeted,  and  spit  upon;"  and,  for 
his  tears  and  love,  they  cry  out  "  Crucify  him,  crucify  him  ; 
away  with  him."  "  It  is  not  fit  that  he  should  live."  Lo  ! 
there  he  hangs,  charged  with  a  world  of  sin — forsaken  of  his 
Father.  He  drinks  out  the  bitter  cup,  whose  wine  is  the 
red  wine  of  indignation,  to  the  very  dregs. 

For  what  end  and  design  did  he  thus  stoop  and  suffer? 
That  he  might  "save  sinners."  "He  came  not  into  the 
world,  to  condemn  the  world,  but  that  the  world  through  him 
mightbe  saved."  He  came  "  for  us  men  and  for  our  salvation." 

But,  while  the  unconvinced,  or  the  half  convinced  sin- 
ner, conceives  salvation  to  be  the  easiest  event  imaginable, 
the  truly  convinced  sinner  can  scarcely  believe  it  to  be 
within  the  bounds  of  possibility,  so  many  are  the  difficulties 
which  stare  him  in  the  face. 

He  has  broken  the  law.  How  shall  its  violated  purity 
and  honor  be  repaired  ?  He  has  offended  justice,  how 
shall  it  be  appeased  ?  Sin  has  dominion  over  him,  how 
shall  its  power  be  broken  ?  Heaven  is  lost,  how  shall  it  be 
regained  ? 

An  answer  to  these  inquiries,  such  as  we  may  conceive, 
yea,  such  as  we  know,  to  characterize  the  newly,  thoroughly 


118       "  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

convinced  sinner,  will  unfold  this  "  true  and  worthy  saying" 
on  which,  and  on  which  alone,  hang  the  hopes  of  a  ruined 
world. 

The  law  stares  you  in  the  face,  with  all  its  broad  de- 
mands and  heavy  frowns.  It  gives  you  the  knowledge  of 
sin  and  of  the  deserts  of  sin  ;  but  it  shows  no  way  of  escape 
from  either  the  one  or  the  other.  What  must  be  done  ? 
Christ  has  "magnified  the  law,  and  made  it  honorable,"  by 
his  infinitely  valuable  obedience  unto  death  ;  and  has  thus 
brought  in  an  everlasting  righteousness,  as  long  and  as  broad 
as  all  the  requirements  of  the  law.  We  are  therefore  "  no 
more  under  the  law  but  under  grace  ;"  that  is,  we  are  not 
under  it  as  a  covenant,  as  that  to  which  we  may  look, 
either  in  whole  or  in  part,  for  salvation.  A  perfect  state, 
such  as  angels  are  in,  and  such  as  our  first  parents  were  in, 
appends  life  to  obedience  to  the  law  ;  but,  that  once  broken, 
there  is  no  more  possibility  of  salvation  by  the  law.  We 
cannot  atone  for  past  violations,  we  cannot  meet  its  full  de- 
mands for  the  future,  and  it  is  not,  cannot  be,  mitigated  ; 
therefore  it  does  nothing  but  condemn.  Either  then,  there 
is  no  salvation  at  all  for  sinners,  or  it  is  salvation  without 
the  deeds  of  the  law;  and  such  is  the  Gospel.  "By  grace 
ye  are  saved  through  faith  ;  and  that  not  of  yourselves  ;  it 
is  the  gift  of  God ;  not  of  works,  lest  any  man  should 
boast."  * 

And  yet,  we  cannot  be  saved  without  righteousness. 
Christ  has  brought  in  "  everlasting  righteousness  ;"  and 
now,  through  faith  in  him,  we  are  dealt  with  as  though  we, 
in  our  own  persons,  fulfilled  the  whole  law.  His  subjection 
to  the  law  was  voluntary,  therefore  his  obedience  is  the 
only  true  supererogation  ;  i.  c,  the  only  obedience  above 

*  Eph.  ii.  8,  9  . 


SERMONS.  119 

what  the  law  demands,  and  which  therefore  may  be  im- 
puted to  another  :  and,  being  infinite  in  his  divine  nature, 
his  obedience  is  adequate  to  the  demands  of  the  law  upon 
all  men  ;  only  marking  the  restriction,  "  to  them  that  believe." 
It  is  "  unto  all  and  upon  all  them  that  believe." 

Sin-stricken  soul,  here  then  is  thy  answer  to  the  de- 
mands of  the  law;  "  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to 
fulfil  the  law  for  me,  and  to  save  me  a  sinner." 

But,  you  say,  "  not  only  has  the  law  demands  upon  me, 
but  justice  too  ;  if  the  law  looks  to  the  future,  justice  looks 
to  the  past ;  the  law  says,  '  The  soul  that  sinneth  it  shall 
die.'    I  have  sinned,  how  can  justice  be  met  and  I  live  *?  " 

The  sufferings  and  death  of  Christ  were  voluntary,  and 
of  infinite  value,  and  so  justice  is  satisfied  ;  just  as  debts 
are  as  effectually  liquidated,  when  paid  by  the  surety,  as  by 
the  principal.  The  evangelical  Prophet,  speaking  of  that 
which  was  to  be,  as  though  it  had  been,  says,  "  Surely  he 
hath  borne  our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sorrows  :  he  was 
wounded  for  our  trangressions,  he  was  bruised  for  our  in- 
iquities ;  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him  ;  and 
with  his  stripes  we  are  healed."*  His  forerunner  points 
to  him,  and  cries,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world."  t  The  Lamb,  with  his  d}ring 
breath  exclaims,  "  It  is  finished  :"  and  to  him  give  all 
apostles  witness,  that  "  his  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin," 
and  that  he  "came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners." 

Here  then  is  our  answer  to  the  demands  of  justice, 
"  Christ  has  died."  "  May  every  heart  with  rapture  say, 
the  Saviour  died  for  me." 

But  Heaven  is  lost,  how  shall  it  be  won  ? 

This  also  is  embraced  in   the   scheme  of  redemption. 

*  Isa.  liii.  4,  5.  t  John   i.  29. 


L20  REMAINS    OP    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

Christ's  death  was  a  price,  to  purchase  not  only  exemp- 
tion from  hell,  but  a  place  in  heaven.  Hence  the  dispen- 
sation of  grace,  which  he  came  to  introduce,  is  called  the 
"  Kingdom  of  heaven  ;"  because  it  first  brings  down  heaven, 
as  it  were,  into  the  heart,  and  finally  lifts  the  believing  soul 
up  to  heaven.  "  I  am  a  king,"  said  he  to  his  judge.  "  I 
go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you,"  said  he  to  his  sorrowing 
disciples.  "  This  day  shalt  thou  be  with  me  in  paradise," 
said  he  to  the  dying  thief.  And  he  hath  made  all  who  be- 
lieve, "  kings,"  and  "  they  shall  reign  with  him  for  ever 
and  ever." 

But,  you  say,  that  sin  and  corruption  have  such  hold  up- 
on vou,  that  you  are  altogether  unmeet  to  partake  of  the 
"inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light';"  and  you  ask,  "how 
shall  I  ever  be  delivered  from  this  body  of  sin  and  death." 

An  important  inquiry  this  ;  for,  though  "  by  the  deeds  of 
the  law,  shall  no  flesh  be  justified,"  yet,  "  without  holiness 
shall  no  man  see  the  Lord;"  and  the  only  evidence  we 
can  have  of  our  justification  lies  in  our  sanctification. 

The  apostle  felt  a  degree  of  the  same  alarm,  from  the 
same  cause,  when  he  exclaimed,  "  O  wretched  man  that  I 
am  !  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  ?  " 
and  he  gives  the  answer,  "I  thank  God,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord."  *  To  the  very  same  source  to  which 
we  look  for  mercy,  we  must  look  for  grace.  He  who  is  our 
righteousness,  is  also  our  sanctification  ;  and  hence  he  prom- 
ises that  he  will  send  the  Holy  Spirit  into  our  hearts,  first, 
to  convince  us  of  our  sin,  then  to  deliver  us  from  the  love 
of  sin,  and  finally  from  the  power  of  sin  ;  and  this  he  does 
by  degrees.  True,  corruption  ma}-,  all  our  lives  long,  live 
in  us,  but  it  does  not  reign  in  us,  as  it  once  did.     Once  it 

*  Rom.  vii.  2-1,  25. 


SERMONS.  121 

was  entertained  as  a  guest,  rather  as  a  member  of  the  fam- 
ily ;  now,  it  is  pursued  as  an  enemy. 

We  come  now  to  the  most  difficult  part  of  our  task — to 
persuade  our  hearers  to  accept  this  salvation  ;  to  convince 
them  that  it  is  really    "  worthy  of  all  acceptation" 

It  is  easy  to  prove  this  saying;  easy  to  unfold  it,  at 
least  so  far  as  to  exhibit  something  of  its  meaning  and  ex- 
cellency ;  easy  to  show,  that  man,  being  lost,  can  no  more 
save  himself,  than  a  dead  body  can  rise  ;  and  it  is  easy 
therefore  to  prove  that  all  men  ought  to  receive  it  with  all 
gladness  of  heart,  and  readiness  of  mind  :  but  it  is  not 
so  easy  to  induce  men  to  do  this.  My  hearers,  we  can 
lead  you  to  the  wells  of  salvation  ;  we  can  bring  the 
streams  to  your  very  feet,  but  it  is  God  alone,  who  by  His 
Spirit,  can  cause  you  to  draw  and  drink.  "  The  excellen- 
cy of  the  power  is  of  God."  "He  makes  willing  in  the 
day  of  his  power,"  as  he  did  on  the  day  of  Pentecost. 

What  an  evidence  of  His  love  !  He  creates  the  living 
water,  opens  the  fountain,  rolls  away  the  stone,  invites  and 
draws  the  sinner ;  and  thus,  by  his  power  and  grace  fro.m 
beginning  to  end,  He  is  the  "  author  and  finisher  of  our 
salvation."  M^iy  He  take  to  Himself  His  great  power  and 
come  among  us,  and  with  great  might  succor  us  this  day, 
that  very  many  may  be  drawn  by  His  quickening  grace, 
and  drink  and  live. 

This  saying,  "  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners,  is  worthy  of  all  acceptation,"  "worthy  of  all 
men  to  be  received."  What  can  I  say  more?  The  saving 
is  true,  and  you  have  no  prospect  of  salvation  in  any  other 
way.  Many  sinners,  like  the  woman  in  the  Gospel,  have 
spent  their  time  and  money  in  seeking  other  remedies,  and 
have  been  "  nothing  bettered,  but  rather  grown  worse  ;  " 
and  it  must  be  so,  until,  like  her,  they  have  recourse  to  the 


122  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

great  Physician  of  souls.  O!  do  but  touch  his  garment 
and  you  shall  live. 

When  an  individual  has  a  disease  upon  him,  which  is  cur- 
able onl}7'  by  one  power,  the  duty  is  plain — the  argument  is 
comprehensible — "Go  to  him  or  die."  And  so  it  is  writ- 
ten ;  "  He  that  believeth  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  shall 
be  saved,  and  he  that  believeth  not,  shall  be  damned." 
You  have  such  a  disease  upon  you  ;  it  pervades  the  whole 
system.  It  is  in  the  ear,  the  eye,  the  body,  the  heart — aye, 
the  very  soul.  It  is  blindness,  deafness,  helplessness,  cor- 
ruption, a  paralysis  of  the  whole  moral  man  ;  and  if  it  be 
not  speedily  removed,  death  must  ensue.  Then  make  no 
delay ;  apply  not  to  physicians  of  no  value,  but  go  at  once 
to  Christ,  and  to  Christ  only.  "  Rise,  he  calleth  thee." 
"  Return  unto  me  and  I  will  heal  thee."  Let  it  not  be 
said  as  of  old,  "  I  would  have  healed  them,  but  they  are 
not  healed  ;"  lest  it  be  said  again,  "  forsake  her  and  let  us 
go  ;  for  her  judgment  reacheth  unto  heaven,  and  is  lifted 
up  even  to  the  skies."  * 

This  salvation  is  "  worthy  of  all  acceptation"  because 
it  is  a  great,  rich,  free,  full  salvation.  To  express  all  in  one 
word  which  comprehends  all  that  is  excellent,  it  is  a,  glorious 
salvation.  Speak  we  of  a  complete  victory  over  a  mighty 
foe  ?  we  call  it  glorious.  Or  of  a  beautiful  prospect  ?  it  is 
glorious.  Or  of  the  sun  travelling  in  the  greatness  of  his 
strength?  he  is  glorious.  Or  of  heaven,  the  abode  of  bles- 
sedness ?  it  is  glorious.  Or  of  Him  by  whom  are  all  things 
in  heaven  above  and  on  earth  beneath  ?  He  is  glorious. 
And  speak  we  of  salvation?  it  is  glorious.  All  glory  is 
brought  into  it.  Sun,  and  moon,  and  stars  have  no  glory 
in  the  comparison.     The  Infinite,  if  I  may  so  speak,  has 

*  Jer.  li.  9. 


SERMONS.  123 

centred  His  whole  glory  in  this  great  salvation.  Here  is  the 
glory  of  His  wisdom  in  its  contrivance.  His  wisdom  as  seen 
in  creation  is  not  half  so  wonderful  as  this.  Here  is  the 
glory  of  His  power  in  its  completion  and  confirmation — the 
dead  are  raised,  the  blind  see,  the  veil  of  the  temple  is 
rent  without  hands,  the  sun  is  darkened,  graves  opened, 
Satan  subdued,  death  conquered.  And  here  is  the  glory  of 
His  grace.  All  other  acts  of  grace  are  but  as  a  drop  in  the 
ocean  compared  with  this.  "  By  grace  are  ye  saved  through 
faith,  and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God."* 

It  is  a  glorious  salvation  because  it  brings  victory  over 
sin,  the  devil,  the  law,  the  wrath  of  God,  death  and  hell. 
Glorious,  because  it  is  a,  full  salvation  ;  it  brings  grace,  light, 
wisdom,  peace,  heaven — all  that  the  soul  can  desire  or 
enjoy.  Glorious,  because  it  is  an  eternal  salvation.  "  He 
became  the  author  of  eternal  salvation  to  all  them  that 
obey  him."  t  The  soul  saved,  is  saved  for  ever.  "  Israel 
shall  be  saved  with  an  everlasting  salvation."  Is  it  not 
then  "  worthy  of  all  acceptation  ?" 

It  is  "  worthy  of  all  acceptation,"  because  of  the  love 
that  is  in  it;  and  who  ever  refused  to  be  loved?  It  is 
"  love  better  than  wine,"|  however  it  may  be  refined,  and 
purified,  and  strengthened  by  age.  It  is  love  from  everlas- 
ting— love  without  dissimulation — love  without  money  and 
without  price — love  which  not  only  revives  and  cheers  heavy 
hearts,  but  quickens  dead  sinners,  and  comforts  distressed 
saints,  and  of  which  we  may  drink  abundantly  without  in- 
jury, }rea,  with  great  advantage.  "  Ho  !  every  one  that 
thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the  waters."  It  is  love  stronger  than 
death,  for  he  gave  himself  to  death  for  us ;  and  better  than 
life,  for  the  longest  life  shall  set  in  death  ;  and  sweeter  than 

*  Eph.  ii.  8.  t  H  'b.  v.  9.  I  Cant.  i.  2. 


124  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

a  feast  of  fat  things  full  of  marrow.  "  My  soul,"  says  the 
Psalmist,  "  shall  be  satisfied  with  thy  loving-kindness  as 
with  marrow  and  fatness."*  And  will  not  you,  my  hearers, 
be  satisfied  too  ? 

O  !  there  is  no  satisfaction  without  it ;  all  other  objects 
may  inebriate  and  surfeit,  but  they  cannot  satisfy. 

It  is  "worthy  of  all  acceptation"  because  of  the  mercy 
that  is  in  it ;  and  who  ever  refused  mercy  ?  What  con- 
demned criminal  ever  rejected  the  mercy  that  would  par- 
don him,  and  reprieve  him  from  the  penalty  of  the  law  ? 
Are  we  not  guilty  ?  Are  we  not  condemned  ?  Does  there 
not  await  us  a  certain  judgment  and  fiery  indignation  ?  But 
in  this  saying  there  is  mercy  to  pardon  all  our  sins.  O  !  do 
not  then  forsake  your  mercy — that  is  to  court  swift  des- 
truction. 

It  is  worthy  to  be  received  of  all  men — all  classes  of 
men — all  conditions  of  men. 

Are  you  great  and  notorious  sinners  ?  You  ought,  by 
all  means  to  receive  it,  for  "  if  the  righteous  scarcely," 
with  much  difficulty,  "  be  saved,  where  shall  the  unrigh- 
teous and  the  sinner  appear?"  You  certainly  are  included 
among  those  whom  Christ  came  to  save,  and  "  How  can 
you  escape  if  }Tou  neglect  so  great  salvation  ?" 

Are  you  of  a  better  class  ?  Still  j^ou  cannot  say  you 
have  no  sin,  and  so  you  cannot  say  that  you  do  not  need  a 
Saviour.     It  is  worthy  of  your  acceptation. 

Are  you  depending  on  universal  salvation,  or  a  limited 
damnation,  or  salvation  by  a  mitigated  law  ?  You  have  no 
certainty  that  you  are  right,  but  we  "  know  in  whom  we 
have  believed,  and  are  persuaded  that  he  is  able  to  keep 
that  which  we  have  committed  to  him  against  that  day."t 

*  Ps.  Ixiii.  3, 5.  t2Tjm.  i.  12. 


SERMONS.  125 

If  you  are  right,  we  are  safe  enough,  but  if  we  are  right,  if 
"  there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among  men, 
whereby  we  must  be  saved,"  *  you  are  fearfully,  fatally 
wrong  ;  therefore  it  is  worthy  of  your  acceptation. 

My  young  hearers,  it  is  worthy  of  your  acceptation,  for 
it  is  the  only  boon  that  can  make  life  easy,  pleasant,  peace- 
ful, safe.  Receive  this  saying,  and  God  will  be  the  guide 
of  your  youth,  the  strength  of  your  manhood,  the  stay  of 
your  old  age,  and  your  portion  for  ever. 

My  aged  hearers,  it  is  worthy  of  your  acceptation.  It 
will  be  a  halo  of  glory  around  your  brow.  "  The  hoary 
head  is  a  crown  of  glory,  if  it  be  found  in  the  way  of 
righteousness."  t  "  The  years  are  come,  in  which  you  have 
no  pleasure,"  but  this  salvation  gives  a  mellowness  to  old 
age,  like  the  well  ripened  fruit  of  autumn,  far  richer  and 
sweeter  than  the  green  buds  of  youth,  ready  to  be  gathered 
into  our  Heavenly  Father's  store-house.  Having  this  sal- 
vation, you  may  with  confidence  believe,  "  that  though  the 
dust  return  to  the  earth  as  it  was,  the  spirit  shall  return  to 
God  who  gave  it,"|  and  so  be  "  ever  with  the  Lord." 

Ye  who  are  poor  in  this  world,  it  is  worthy  of  your  ac- 
ceptation. Having  this,  you  "  have  all  and  abound."  "All 
things  are  3-ours  ;  whether  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or 
things  present  or  things  to  come  ;  all  are  yours  and  ye  are 
Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's."  § 

Are  you  rich  ?  It  is  worthy  of  your  acceptation.  With- 
out it  you  are  in  a  snare.  Without  it  you  cannot  enter  into 
the  kingdom  of  heaven.  "Your  gold  and  silver  is  cankered  ; 
and  the  rust  of  them  shall  be  a  witness  against  you,  and 
shall  eat  your  flesh  as  it  were  fire.  Ye  have  heaped  trea- 
sure together  for  the  last  days."  || 

*  Acts  iv.  12.  t  Prov.  xvi.  31.  t  Eccl.  xii.  7. 

§  1  Cor.  i.  21—23.  ||  James  v.  3. 


126  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

0,  my  beloved  bearers!  receive  this  saying  without 
delay  or  hesitation,  "  the  time  is  short."  Receive  it  with 
gratitude,  it  is  God's  great  gift.  Receive  it  with  entire  sub- 
mission to  the  will  of  God — it  is  the  way  He  has  ordained 
for  our  salvation.  Reject  every  other  mode  and  rely  wholly 
and  exclusively  on  Him  who  "  came  into  the  world  to  save 
sinners." 

If  your  hearts  are  drawn  and  moved  at  all,  you  can 
raise  only  one  difficulty.  You  may  say,  "  I  am  not  worthy." 

I  know  it.  But  this  salvation  is  "  worthy  to  be  received." 
If  it  were  never  to  be  received  but  by  those  who  are  worthy, 
verily  the  end  of  Christ's  coming  would  be  fruitless.  Was 
Paul  worthy  ?  No,  says  he — "  I  am  the  chief  of  sinners  !" 
Yet  he  accounted  both  this  saying,  and  Jesus,  the  substance 
of  the  saying,  "  worthy  to  be  received  by  him,"  and  by  the 
vilest  of  sinners  in  all  ages. 

Jesus  came  to  save  sinners — not  the  worthy.  Jesus  "  re- 
ceived gifts  for  the  rebellious" — not  for  the  worthy.     Jesus 

II  liveth  to  make  intercession  for  transgressors'''' — not  for  the 
worthy.  Then,  let  one,  let  all,  upon  this  warrant  receive 
this  saying,  i.  e.,  "believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  salva- 
tion." 


SERMON  II. 

"The  riches  of  his  grace.'''' — Eph.  i.  7. 

Two  most  captivating  words  are  contained  in  our  text. 
The  one  captivates  the  worldling,  the  other  the  Christian. 
Riches  and  Grace  !  No  music  like  riches  in  the  ear  of  the 
worldling;  no  sound  like  grace  in  that  of  the  Christian.  But 
the  one  is  all  sound,  the  other  all  reality.  The  former  is 
in  truth,  poor  ;  the  latter  incalculably  rich.  The  riches  of 
God's  grace  are  our  riches,  if  we  are  in  the  faith.  They  form 
therefore  a  fit  subject  for  our  contemplation.  The  miser 
counts  and  recounts  his  treasures,  and  the  Christian  surely 
may  attempt,  at  least,  to  reckon  his,  which  are  more  pre- 
cious far  than  gems  or  stores  of  gold.  It.  will  be  but  an 
attempt,  for  who  can  measure  infinity,  and  comprehend 
eternity  ? 

The  Apostle,  contemplating  this  transcendant  subject, 
exclaims,  as  if  on  the  brink  of  an  ocean  without  bottom — 
"  Oh,  the  deph  !  how  unsearchable  !  how  past  finding 
out !"  The  more  therefore  we  labor  to  know  it,  the  more 
we  shall  find  that  "  it  passeth  knowledge."  It  is  a  field, 
where  the  soul  may  range  through  everlasting  ages,  with 
infinite  satisfaction,  but  without  satiety.  This  makes  it  the 
soul's  eternal  delight,  because  every  advance  discovers  new 
beauties  and  more  light,  with  the  certain  prospect  of  still 
increasing  beauties,  and  still  increasing  light. 


128  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

There  are  many  particulars  in  which  Jehovah  is  rich. 
•As  in  wisdom  :  "In  Him  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom 
and  knowledge."  And  in  power  :  "  He  has  all  power  in 
heaven  and  in  earth."  And  in  possessions  :  "  All  things,  whe- 
ther they  be  thrones,  or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or 
powers"  in  heaven  or  on  earth,  are  His.  And  in  glory  :  but 
how  can  a  worm  of  the  earth  speak  of  His  Glory,  before 
whom  angels,  with  trembling  awe,  cast  their  crowns,  say- 
ing— «  Thou  art  worthy  O  Lord,  to  receive  glory  and  honor, 
and  power?"*  Every  attribute  is  but  a  ray  of  His  glory; 
all  combined  do  but  illustrate  the  riches,  the  exceeding 
"  riches  of  His  grace."  Divine  power,  and  wisdom,  and  pos- 
sessions, and  glory,  are  golden  reeds  and  scales  to  measure 
and  to  weigh  His  grace.  What  is  the  exceeding  greatness 
of  His  power,  as  expressed  in  the  works  of  creation,  and 
especially  in  "  raising  Christ  from  the  dead,"  and  set- 
ting him  at  His  own  right  hand  in  heavenly  places,  far 
above  all  principalities  and  powers  ?  that  is  the  measure  of 
His  grace. 

What  is  the  depth  of  the  riches  of  His  wisdom,  called 
by  the  Apostle,  His  "  manifold  wisdom  ?"  Such  is  the 
depth  of  His  grace.  What  the  extent  of  His  dominions  ? 
Such  is  the  length  and  breadth  of  His  grace. 

What  is  the  brightness  of  His  glory  ?  No  tongue  can 
tell,  no  figure  can  express.  Whatever  it  may  be,  He  calls 
His  grace  His  glory — yea,  "  The  riches  of  His  glory."  t 
Well  may  His  grace  be  termed  "  unsearchable  riches,"  \ 
and  "  exceeding  abundant  grace."  § 

Let  us  now  see  wherein  the  "riches  of  His  grace"  have 
been  exhibited.  The  goodness  of  God  to  angels  and  man 
at  the  first  creation  was  grace  ;  but  to  demonstrate  His  im- 

*  Rev.  iv.  10,  H.         t  Eph.  iii.  16.         t  Eph.  iii.  8.         §  1  Tim.  i.  14. 


SERMONS.  129 

mense  love  and  goodness,  we  must  consider  what  He  has 
done  for  sinners.  Creating  goodness  bears  no  more  com- 
parison to  saving  grace,  than  the  light  of  the  first  day  of 
creation  did  to  the  brightness  of  the  fourth. 

While  I,  who  am  "less  than  the  least  of  all  saints" 
preach  among  you  the  unsearchable  "  riches  of  Christ," 
may  3-011  be  filled  with  all  the  "  fulness  of  God." 

I.  We  see  the  "  riches  of  His  grace,"  in  having  "  pre- 
destinated men  to  the  adoption  of  children,"  ver.  5,  6. 
We  are  by  nature  the  children  of  the  Devil,  and  of  course, 
children  of  wrath.  What  did  He?  Did  He  swear,  as  He 
justly  might,  that  we  "  should  not  enter  into  His  rest,"  and 
that  He  would  raise  up  another  and  a  better  race  from  the 
dust  and  the  stones  ?  No.  Though  He  had  spoken  against 
the  soul  that  sinneth,  that  "it  should  die," yet,  He  "  ear- 
nestly remembered  us  still."  His  bowels  moved  towards 
us,  and  determined  to  receive  us  again  into  His  family,  and 
that,  to  a  higher  place  ;  to  be  children  and  heirs,  not  with 
the  morning  stars  who  never  fell,  but  with  His  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  and  all  "  according  to  the  good  pleasure  of  His  own 
will." 

In  us,  there  was  nothing  to  move  His  love,  and  every 
thing  to  move  His  wrath;  but  mercy  triumphed  over  wrath. 

This  He  did  when  there  was  no  arm  to  save,  no,  nor 
an  eye  to  pity.  Where  did  this  divine  purpose  begin  ?  On 
Calvary  ?  No.  In  Bethlehem  ?  Was  it  an  after-thought, 
when  Satan  had  marred  the  beauty  of  His  moral  creation  ? 
No.  It  was,  says  our  Apostle, — "and  he  spake  as  he  was 
moved  by  the  Holy-Ghost" — "before  the  world  began." 
Well  mav  the  Apostle  break  out — and  oh  !  who  would  not 
join  him? — in  praising  and  glorifying  this  grace. 

II.  The  purpose  was  good,  even  if  it  could  go  no  further ; 


130  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

and  how  shall  it  be  accomplished  ?  The  world  was  made 
by  a  word;  but  words  will  not  make  children  of  men,  sons 
and  daughters  of  God.  Words  will  not  redeem  souls. 
What  then  must  be  done  ?  Again  He  opened  the  riches  of 
His  grace,  and  paid  the  infinite  price — "  We  have  redemp- 
tion through  his  (Christ's)  blood,  according  to  the  riches  of 
his  grace."  The  cattle  on  a  thousand  hills  were  a  vain 
sacrifice.  Then  said  the  Son,  "Lo!  I  come;"  and  he. 
made  himself  the  son  of  man,  that  he  might  "  give  us  power 
to  become  the  sons  of  God  ;  "  and  "  he  made  himself  an 
offering  for  our  sins,  the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he  might 
brino-  us  to  God."  Every  step  from  the  cradle  to  the  cross, 
was  bedewed  with  tears  or  stained  with  blood.  "  He  was 
a  hungered," — "He  wept," — "his  hair  was  filled  with 
dew," — he  "groaned," — "he  died."  Oh,  the  riches  of  his 
grace  ! 

III.  We  see  the  riches  of  his  grace  in  the  inheritance 
He  hath  obtained  for  us,  (ver.  2.)  for  He  would  not  make 
us  children,  without  making  suitable  provision  for  us  :  but 
the  world  is  not  suitable  :  all  below  is  too  false,  too  fleeting 
for  the  sons  of  God.     Being  made,  through  the  riches  of 
grace,  partakers  of  a  divine  nature,  the  same  grace  prepares 
for  them  a  divine  inheritance.     Being  made  sons  together 
with  Christ,  we  are  made  heirs  together  with  him,  of  the 
glory  which  he    had    with   the    Father  before   the  world 
began.     Call  it  what  you  will  ;  a  Canaan  flowing  with  milk 
and  honey,  a  Paradise  in  which  are  the  tree  and  river  of 
life,  a  kingdom  where  peace  and  prosperity  reign,  a  New- 
Jerusalem  whose  walls  are  precious  stones,  whose  gates 
are  pearls,  and  whose  pavement  the  finest  gold  ;  "  All  are 
too  mean  to  speak  its  worth,  too  mean  to  set  its  glories 
forth."     It  is  salvation,  life  everlasting,  praise,  "an  exceed- 
ing and  eternal  weight  of  glory." 


SERMONS.  131 

And  we  have  the  foretaste,  the  earnest  in  the  present 
life.  We  have  the  "holy  spirit  of  promise,  which  is  the 
earnest  of  our  inheritance,"  ver.  13  :  we  have  "peace  and 
joy  shed  abroad  in  the  heart,"  a  foretaste  of  the  "peace 
that  flows  as  a  river,  and  of  joys  forever  more  :  "  We  are 
now  raised  up  together  and  made  to  sit  together  in  heavenly 
places  in  Christ  Jesus,"*  a  pledge  of  future  resurrection, 
exaltation,  and  glory. 

But,  rich  as  are  the  Christian's  present  joys,  such  as  the 
world  cannot  give,  they  bear  not  that  proportiun  to  the  full, 
purchased  prossession,  which  the  first  fruits  does  to  the 
abundant  harvest,  the  first  dripping  of  rain  to  the  copious 
shower,  or  the  Tabernacle  to  the  Temple.  Between  two 
finites  there  is  some  proportion,  however  vast  the  disparity; 
but  between  finite,  as  the  most  we  enjoy  here  below  is, 
and  infinite,  as  the  future  will  be,  there  is  no  proporiion. 
"The  ages  to  come"  will  reveal  to  us  "the  exceeding  riches 
of  his  grace,  in  his  kindness  towards  us  through  Christ 
Jesus."  f 

IV.  There  are  other  considerations  which  may  raise  our 
thoughts  in  some  faint  proporiion  to  the  "  riches  of  his 
grace,"  which  are  peculiarly  suitable  to  us  ;  and  which, 
while  they  enlarge  our  comprehension  of  love  incompre- 
hensible, will  give  no  unsuitable  application  to  our  subject. 

The  riches  of  God's  grace,  are  to  be  seen  in  the  extent 
of  the  invitations,  coming  continually  from  the  voice  of  free 
grace.  His  language  is,  "Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labor 
and  are  heavy  laden  ; "  "  Whosoever  will  let  him  come," 
&c.  But  there  are  millions  of  millions  ready  to  perish  ; 
then  let  millions  of  millions  come  :  here  is  enough  for  all. 
His  voice  goes  forth,  like  the  morning  star  before  the  sun, 
that  brightest  image  of  his  grace,  "  Let  all  men  come  to 

*  Eph.  ii.  6.  t  Eph.  ii.  7. 


132  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

the  brightness  of  his  rising;"  and  like  the  sun,  which  has 
cheered  the  eyes  of  a  thousand  generations,  He  has  not  lost 
one  beam  of  His  grace,  nor  will  He  to  the  end  of  time. 
Count  the  rays  of  the  sun,  if  you  would  count  the  riches  of 
His  grace  ;  or  measure  the  ocean  of  light  He  pours  forth, 
if  you  would  measure  the  inexhaustible  fulness  of  bound- 
less, bottomless,  shoreless  love.     O,  the  depth  ! 

Now  contemplate  the  sins  that  His  grace  can  blot  out. 
All,  all  sin.  His  mercy,  which  is  a  part  of  His  grace,  is 
infinite  to  pardon  all  sins  ;  His  power  is  infinite  to  subdue 
all  corruptions,  and  to  overcome  all  difficulties.  Are  your 
sins  "  red  like  crimson?  they  shall  be  as  wool."  Do  they 
rise  to  the  clouds,  and  are  they  as  the  sand  of  the  sea- 
shore, for  multitude  ?  It  exhausted  not  His  power  to  make 
the  sand,  and  it  will  not  exhaust  the  riches  of  His  grace  to 
bestow  upon  you  full  forgiveness.  There  is  no  limitation 
in  the  divine  mind.  Men  make  limits  by  their  impenitent, 
unbelieving  hearts  ;  but  God  makes  none.  "  Repent,"  He 
says,  "  so  that  iniquity  shall  not  be  your  ruin." 

Then  look  at  the  gifts — the  greatness,  the  richness  of 
the  gifts  He  bestows.  The  prophet  calls  them,  "  balm  for 
the  broken-hearted,"  "  liberty  for  the  captive,"  "  beaut}^ 
for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  the  garments  of 
praise,  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness."  In  the  plain  language 
of  the  Gospel,  He  gives  pardon,  peace  and  eternal  life.  Oh, 
what  a  mine  of  grace  must  that  be,  which  can  deal  with 
the  sinner,  as  if  he  had  never  sinned ;  which  can  calm  the 
troubled  mind,  and  abolish  eternal  death  in  the  victory  of 
eternal  life !  Well  may  his  riches  be  denominated,  "  un- 
searchable riches."  This  language  gives  us  the  idea  of  a 
mine,  whose  limits  cannot  be  explored,  nor  its  immense 
wealth  exhausted  :  one  end  of  this  mine,  as  we  have  seen, 
is  the  eternity  that  is  past,  the  other,  is  the  eternity  to  come  ; 


SERMONS.  133 

its  bottom  as  low  as  Hell ;  its  top,  high  as  Heaven.  The 
grace  of  God  began  in  eternity,  and  will  only  end  with 
eternity  ;  it  lifts  the  soul  from  perdition,  to  a  place  at  His 
own  right  hand.  O,  "  the  riches  of  his  grace  !"  When 
Solomon  had  cast  up  his  inventory  of  the  world,  he  ex- 
claimed, "  vanity  of  vanities,  all  is  vanity."  Now,  as  we 
are  able,  we  have  cast  up  the  riches  of  God's  grace,  and 
we  are  constrained  to  exclaim,  glory,  glory,  they  are  the 
riches  of  his  glory.  Angels,  in  view  of  these  treasures 
which  they  can  never  know  as  we  shall,  say,  "  Worthy  is 
the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  receive  power,  and  riches, 
and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honor,  and  blessing,  and 
glory.  And  let  every  creature  which  is  in  heaven,  and  on 
the  earth,  and  under  the  earth"  join  in  the  chorus,  saying, 
"blessing,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  power,  be  unto  him 
that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and 
ever."  * 

See  how  this  river  of  grace  rises  like  the  holy  water 
which  Ezekiel  in  vision  saw ;  first,  it  flowed  in  gracious 
purposes  ;  then,  in  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises  ; 
then  in  tears  ;  then,  unlocked  by  the  spear,  it  gushed  from 
the  side  of  Christ  in  streams  of  blood,  and  filled  the  foun- 
tain that  is  opened  for  sin  and  uncleanness. 

Let  your  choice  of  God  be  "deliberate,  free,  unreserv- 
ed ;  let  it  be  steadfast  and  abiding;  take  Him  for  your 
sovereign  as  well  as  your  Saviour.  Oh  !  take  a  whole 
Christ  for  your  portion.  Oh  !  let  him  have  a  whole  heart 
for  his  possession." 

Then,  from  this  time  forward  may  you  say,  "  my  be- 
loved is  mine,  and  I  am  His:"  His  wisdom  is  mine  to 
guide  me  in  all  my  concerns  ;  His  power  is  mine  to  defend 

*  Rev.  v.  12,  13. 


134  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

and  support  me  in  all  dangers  and  difficulties  ;  His  mercy- 
is  mine  to  pardon  all  my  sins  ;  His  whole  grace  is  mine  to 
help  in  every  time  of  need  ;  and  his  glory  is  mine  ;  "  Hence- 
forth there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness, 
which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  shall  give  me  at  that 
day."     2  Tim.  iv.  8. 

My  brethren,  what  influence  should  our  subject  have 
upon  us  ?  It  should  draw  us  from  every  other  object  to 
take  Christ  for  our  portion.  How  much  is  that  man  worth 
who  has  any  thing  less  than  God  for  his  portion?  Nothing. 
He  may  have  mountains  of  gold,  and  yet  be  poor.  What 
will  gold  purchase  ?  "meat,  drink  and  clothes."  And  what 
more?  "meat,  drink  and  clothes."  But  it  will  not  pur- 
chase peace,  health,  content,  nor  pay  one  mite  of  the  ten 
thousand  talents  we  owe  to  God,  and  so  leave  the  soul  a 
miserable  bankrupt  before  Him  at  the  last. 

And  how  much  are  the  men  of  grace  worth?  Though 
having  nothing  that  the  world  calls  wealth,  yet  they  are 
rich,  for  all  is  theirs:  all  persons,  all  things,  all  events. 
"All  things  are  yours  ;  whether  Paul,  or  Apollos,  or  Cephas, 
or  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  present,  or  things 
to  come  ;  all  are  yours  ;  and  ye  are  Christ's,  and  Christ  is 
God's."* 

Are  they  poor?  the  man  that  struts  by  them,  swelled 
with  the  pride  of  wealth,  is  poor,  and  much  to  be  pitied; 
but  these  are  rich.  A  fire,  a  wreck,  an  earthquake,  may 
strip  that  man  as  naked  as  he  came  into  the  world,  and 
then  what  has  he  left  ?  if  they  do  not,  death  will. 

But,  he  who  has  God  for  his  portion,  need  not  fear 
though  the  world  and  all  things  that  are  therein  should  be 
burned  up.  "The  Lord  liveth,"  and  that  is  "the  good 
part  which  can  never  be  taken  away."  "Who  shall  lay  any 

1  Cor.  iii  20—23. 


SERMONS.  135 

thing  to  the  charge  of  God's  elect  ?  It  is  God  that  justifieth. 
Whoishethatcondemneth?  "It  is  Christ  that  died."  "Who 
shall  separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ?  "  Death  is  his 
last  and  greatest  enemy,  and  death  shall  bring  him  to  the 
house  of  his  God.  Death  is  the  porter  that  opens  the  gates 
of  eternity;  and  when  the  heaven-born  soul  has  entered, 
there  "it  shall  proceed  through  ages  and  ages,  and  dive 
deeper  into  these  riches  and  still  find  them  unsearchable." 

Come  then,  poor  sinner,  to  God  and  be  blessed  with 
durable  riches.  "But,  are  they  for  me?"  Yes,  tor  thee. 
God  is  not  rich  in  grace  for  Himself;  it  is  for  sinners,  for 
rebels,  for  enemies.  The  strongest  proof  He  has  given  us 
of  the  riches  of  his  grace,  proves  that  He  has  opened  his 
treasures  for  such  as  these.  "Ye  know  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  your 
sakes  became  poor,  that  you,  through  his  poverty,  might  be 
made  rich."  In  the  depth  of  his  poverty  see  how  grace 
abounds  for  the  chief  of  sinners.  How  low  he  comes  !  see 
him  in  the  "likeness  of  sinful  flesh;"  lower  yet,  see  him 
under  condemnation;  lower  yet,  see  him  made  a  curse  for  us. 
Will  he  not  then  willingly  make  us  rich  ?  It  was  for  this 
end  He  became  poor.  He  gave  his  life  for  us,  how  will  he 
not  then  give  us  all  that  his  blood  bought  ?  There  is  no 
escaping  from  these  conclusions  :  they  are  drawn  from  in- 
fallible premises,  by  the  infallibility  of  divine  wisdom. 

Come  then  sinners,  however  poor,  however  wretched, 
come  to  God  ;  give  yourselves  to  Him  with  all  your  poverty, 
but  with  all  your  heart,  and  He  will  give  Himself  to  you 
with  all  His  riches  ;  and  they  are  riches  that  make  glad  the 
heart,  and  add  no  sorrow  therewith  :  riches  on  which  vour 
hearts  may  be  fixed  with  the  utmost  intensity  :  riches  that 
you  may  covet  with  a  miser's  thirst ;  "He  is  rich  to  all  that 
call  upon  him."     Let  Augustine's  prayer  be  yours,  "Lord, 


136  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

give  me  thyself;"  and  let  the  Psalmist's  resolution  be  yours, 
"  Thou  art  my  portion,  O  Lord,  I  have  said  that  I  will  keep 
thy  words;"  this  makes  a  complete  Christian  character. 
Take  the  Lord  for  your  portion,  and  you  secure  "  exceeding 
abundantly  above  all  that  you  can  ask  or  think."  Take 
His  word  for  your  rule,  and  you  have  an  indisputable  evi- 
dence to  your  interest  in  Him,  for"  Christ  being  made  per- 
fect became  the  author  of  eternal  salvation  unto  all  them 
that  obey  him"* 

*Heb.  v.  9. 


SERMON  III. 


"  Trust  in  the  Lord  with  all  thine  heart;  and  lean  not  unto 
thine  own  understanding.  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him, 
and  he  shall  direct  thy  paths." — Proverbs  iii.  5,  6. 

"  Oh  Lord,  I  know  that  the  way  of  man  is  not  in  him- 
self; it  is  not  in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps," 
says  the  Prophet  Jeremiah.  Though  this  declaration  re- 
fers to  a  particular  case,  it  applies  equally  to  all  men.  That 
man  has  been  but  a  poor  observer  of  his  ways,  who  has 
not  learned,  that  his  own  understanding  is  inadequate  to 
the  task  of  guiding  him  with  discretion,  through  the  mazes 
and  labyrinths  of  life.  He  knows  not  what  is  good  for 
him  ;  he  cannot  tell  what  will  be  the  events  of  the  next 
moment ;  and  if  he  were  competent  to  this,  he  has  not  th* 
power  to  bring  any  thing  to  pass.  Hence,  a  very  cursory 
glance  will  suffice  to  show,  that  the  men,  who  "  lean  to 
their  own  understanding,"  are  doomed  to  lives  of  projects, 
and  frustrations,  and  vexations  ;  the  evils  which  they 
weave  in  their  vain  imaginations,  are  in  an  instant  un- 
ravelled by  another  hand ;  and  so  they  are  wrapt  in  their 
winding  sheet,  before  they  have  effected  any  device. 

Lean  not  then,  O  man  !  to  thine  own  understanding.  It  is 
a  miserable  counsellor:  it  wi  11  keep  thee  in  constant  per- 
plexity and  uncertainty  ;  it  will  not  d  irect  thee  to  any  good 
purpose  ;  it  will  leave  thee  to  be  tossed  on  the  ocean  of 


13S  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

life,  like  a  frail  bark  in  a  tempest,  without  cable  or  anchor, 
and  at  last,  cause  thee  to  make  shipwreck  of  thy  interests, 
in  this  life  and  the  life  to  come.  Neither  "trust  in  man, 
for  his  breath  is  in  his  nostrils,  and  wherein  is  he  to  be  ac- 
counted of."  No,  not  in  princes,  for  in  them  is  no  help  ; 
nor  yet  in  angels,  for  their  wisdom  would  be  folly  in  guid- 
ing the  affairs  of  men  ;  but  "  trust  in  the  Lord  with  all 
thy  heart."  "Happy  is  the  man  that  hath  the  Lord  for  his 
counsellor,  and  the  Cod  of  Jacob,  for  his  help,  whose  hope 
is  in  the  Lord  his  God  ;"  for,  "  He  is  a  friend  that  stick- 
eth  closer  than  a  brother."  We  may  trust  in  Him  for  all 
things,  for  all  nature  is  in  his  hands  ;  and  at  all  times — in 
times  of  affliction,  temptation,  and  darkness;  for  all  pow- 
er is  with  him  to  help.  Trust  him  with  all  thine  heart  ;  with 
all  sincerity  and  confidence,  for  His  love,  and  grace,  and 
mercy,  are  free  and  boundless,  and  "  His  delight  is  in  all 
that  trust  in  Him."  "  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  Him  ;" 
look  to  Him,  not  only  for  protection  and  support,  but  also 
for  guidance  to  be  directed  in  a  right  course  of  conduct 
through  life,  and  "  He  will  direct  thy  steps." 

Our  text  is  a  direct  recognition  of  the  doctrine  of  Prov- 
idence, and  perhaps  it  will  be  proper  to  dwell  a  little  upon 
this  point,  before  we  proceed  to  the  particular  duty  here 
enjoined. 

It  is  not  our  design  to  enter  into  a  metaphysical  disqui- 
sition of  the  subject :  such  a  course  would  be  neither  pleas- 
ant to  us,  nor  profitable  to  you.  "  To  the  law  and  the  tes- 
timony," is  our  constant  motto,  and  this  is  both  profitable 
and  pleasant. 

The  providence  of  Cod  consists  in  creating,  sustaining, 
and  governing.  His  creating  providence,  is  the  exercise  of 
that  power,  by  which  all  things  are  brought  into  being. 
His  sustaining  providence,  is  the  constant  exercise  of  that 


SERMONS.  139 

power  to  uphold  and  keep  in  existence  those  things  which 
He  has  created  ;  so  that  all  creatures,  "  in  Him  live,  and 
move,  and  have  their  being."  This,  some  call  the  law,  or 
course  of  nature  ;  but  more  scripturally,  the  divine  will. 
"  With  Him  is  the  fountain  of  life,  and  in  His  hand  is  the 
breath  of  every  living  thing."  This  sustaining  influence 
extends  to  all  creatures,  from  the  most  exalted  to  the  mean- 
est ;  like  the  sun,  its  influence  reaches  to  the  high  and  low, 
to  the  noble  and  the  ignoble.  As  an  archangel  could  not 
exist  at  first  without  Him,  so  neither  can  he  continue  in 
being,  independently  of  His  power :  and  as  the  most  insig- 
nificant and  detestable  reptile  that  creeps  on  the  earth,  was 
not  beneath  Him  to  create,  so  neither  is  it  beneath  Him  to 
sustain.  His  hand  guides  the  stars  in  their  courses,  and 
preserves  them  in  their  respective  spheres  ;  He  makes  the 
outgoings  of  the  morning  and  evening  ;  He  causes  the  reg- 
ular  returns  of  summer  and  winter,  of  seed-time  and  har- 
vest ;  He  appoints  to  man  his  habitation,  and  determines 
the  number  of  his  months;  "He  gives  to  the  beast  his 
food,  and  to  the  young  ravens  when  they  cry."  So  gener- 
al is  His  providence,  that  it  extends  to  the  utmost  bounds 
of  creation  ;  and  so  minute,  that  "  He  numbers  the  very 
hairs  of  our  heads,  and  suffers  not  a  sparrow  to  fall  on  the 
ground  without  him." 

His  governing  providence  extends  to  all  the  actions  of 
His  creatures.  The  very  clouds,  which  seem  to  wander 
so  much  at  random  through  the  air,  are  guided  by  His 
hand.  "  He  scattereth  his  bright  cloud,  and  it  is  turned 
round  about  by  his  counsels  ;  that  they  may  do  whatsoev- 
er He  commandeth  them  upon  the  Tace  of  the  earth;"* 
He  gives  the  fish  of  the  sea,  and  the  fowls  of  the  air,  that 
instinct  by  which  they  are  brought  to  our  shores  in  their  re- 

*  Job  xxxvii.  11,  12. 


140  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

spective  seasons.  "  The  stork  in  the  heaven  knoweth  her 
appointed  times ;  and  the  turtle,  and  the  crane,  and  the 
swallow,  observe  the  time  of  their  coming."  * 

It  extends  to  all  the  actions  of  angels,  men  and  devils. 
Angels  go  and  come  at  his  command.  Devils  cannot  enter 
into  a  herd  of  swine  without  his  permission.  Soldiers  can- 
not gain  a  victory,  but  it  is  from  Him.  "  All  this  assem- 
bly shall  know,"  says  David,  when  advancing  against  the 
proud  Philistines,  "  that  the  battle  is  the  Lord's." 

The  arrow  and  the  stone  are  guided  by  His  hand,  and 
if  He  says  Ahab  or  Goliath  shall  die,  however  the   former 
may  disguise    himself,   the   fatal  dart    will  find  its  way 
through  the  joints  of  his  armor.        Senators  cannot  give 
wise  counsel  without  his  aid  ;  hence,  Ezra  and  Nehemiah 
ascribe  it  to  God,  that  it  was  put  into  the  heart  of  the  king 
of  Babylon  to  beautify  the  house  of  the   Lord,   and   have 
mercy  upon  Israel.  "  He  turned  the  hearts  of  their  enemies," 
sa}Ts  the  Psalmist,  "  to  hate  His  people,   and  to  deal  sub- 
tilely  with  them."    "  The  king's  heart  is  in  the  hand  of  the 
Lord ;  as  the  rivers  of  waters,  He  turneth  it  whithersoever 
He  will."     Merchants  cannot  buy  and    sell  and  get  gain, 
without  His  help  and  blessing,  nor  execute  schemes  with- 
out His  providence.     "  It  is  the  Lord  that  giveth  thee  pow- 
er to  get  wealth."     "  Go  to  now,  ye  that  say,  to-day  or  to- 
morrow we  will  go  into  such  a  city,  and  continue  there  a 
year,  and  buy,  and  sell,  and  get  gain  :  whereas  ye  know 
not  what  shall  be  on  the  morrow."  t     If  further  proof  were 
necessar}",  we  might  point  you  to  the   whoie   train  of  pro- 
phecy and  its  fulfilment;  to  promises  and  their  accomplish- 
ment.      If  He  rule    not  in  "  the  armies  of  heaven,    and 
amongst  the  children  of  men  ;"    if  the  elements  and  infer- 
nal spirits  come  not  under  His  control ;    if  He  order  not  all 

*  Jer.  yiii.  7.  t  James,  iv.  13,  14. 


SERMONS.  141 

things  "  after  the  counsel  of  His  own  will,"  how  can  we 
account  for  his  promises  to  Abraham,  and  their  exact  ful- 
filment ?  and  the  predictions  concerning  the  Messiah  in  his 
incarnation,  sufferings,  death,  and  the  subsequent  glory  of 
the  Church,  and  their  minute  accomplishment  ? 

We  are  taught  to  consider  all  our  afflictions  as  coming 
from  the  hand  of  God  ;  hence,  Job  ascribes  his  sufferings 
to  God,  and  when  Shimei  cursed  David,  he  said,  "  Let  him 
alone  and  let  him  curse  ;  for  the  Lord  hath  bidden  him." 

Prayer  is  a  direct  acknowledgement  of  a  superintending 
Providence.  Why  do  we  pray  for  this  or  that  blessing,  if 
He,  to  whom  we  pray,  cannot  so  order  events,  that  it  shall 
be  brought  to  pass  ? 

We  would  further  direct  your  attention  to  one  fact, 
which,  in  our  mind,  is  almost  demonstrative  evidence. 
Whence  is  it  that  the  Bible  has  been  preserved  against  the 
ravages  of  time,  and  in  spite  of  opposition,  the  most  dead- 
ly and  determined  that  Satan  could  instigate,  or  man  could 
exercise?  Account  for  it,  if  you  can,  upon  any  other  prin- 
ciple than  that  there  is  a  superintending  Providence,  who 
has  made  it  the  object  of  his  peculiar  care,  and  has  so  or- 
dered events,  that  His  holy  word  should  be  transmitted 
pure  and  unadulterated  from  age  to  age. 

Thus  we  have  adduced,  what  we  trust  will  be  suffi- 
cient proof  to  all  who  make  the  word  of  God  the  standard 
of  their  faith.  Whatever  others  may  think,  I  would  not 
be  argued  out  of  the  belief  of  a  Providence,  for  the  favor  of 
ten  thousand  princes.  Rob  me  of  the  comfortable  convic- 
tion that  an  invisible  hand  is  guiding  me  through  life,  that 
infinite  wisdom  is  ordering  all  my  concerns,  that  infinite 
goodness  is  directing  all  things  well,  and  you  rob  me  of  the 
sweetest  solace  of  my  life.      Take  my  purse,  you  take 


142  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKSON. 

trash  ;  deprive  me  of  my  liberty,  still  my  spirit  is  free  ; 
blast  my  reputation,  I  may  still  be  rich  ;  but  rob  me  of  my 
Providence,  and  what  have  I  left  ?  You  leave  me  the  help- 
less victim  of  despair,  and  an  exde  in  the  world,  without 
an  eye  to  regard,  a  hand  to  guide,  or  an  overshadowing 
wing  to  protect. 

But  despite  all  the  cavils  of  carnal  men,  "  the  Lord 
reigns  in  the  armies  of  heaven,  and  among  the  children  of 
men."  This  is  the  persuasion  that  makes  the  Christian 
ever  contented  with  his  lot;  it  is  his  trust  in  every  extrem- 
ity ;  his  cup  of  consolation  in  every  hour  of  trial.  He 
knows  that  there  is  a  promise  that  "  all  things  work  togeth- 
er for  good  to  them  that  love  God,"  and  he  knows  that 
there  is  a  Providence  which  will  bring  about  its  fulfilment. 
It  was  this  persuasion  that  prompted  Noah  to  prepare  an 
ark  ;  Abraham  to  leave  his  country,  and  offer  up  his  only 
son  ;  Moses  to  lead  the  children  of  Israel  through  the  wil- 
derness ;  Daniel  to  worship  his  God  in  the  very  jaws  of 
the  lion  ;  prophets  and  apostles  to  take  their  lives  into  their 
own  hands,  and  declare  the  will  and  counsel  of  God  ;  and 
all  his  servants  to  cast  their  care  upon  Him,  cheerfully  to 
submit  to  his  will,  cordially  to  acquiesce  in  the  events  of 
life,  and  to  prefer  the  path  of  duty,  knowing  that  "  He 
careth  for  them." 

Having  established  the  doctrine,  the  duty  is  most  obvi- 
ous ;  "  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  Him."  Make  His  will 
the  supreme  controller  of  thy  actions,  and  seek  His  guid- 
ance in  the  whole  course  of  thy  life  ;  not  in  some  only  of 
thy  works  and  ways,  but  in  all ;  not  in  thy  spiritual  con- 
cerns alone,  but  in  thy  temporal  also  ;  not  in  business  alone, 
but  in  thy  pleasures  :  "  In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  Him." 

It  is  a  question  often  asked,  how  may  we  discern  the 


SERMONS.  143 

will  of  Providence  ?  We  shall  endeavor  lo  give  the  an- 
swer, and  thus  show  what  it  is  to  "  acknowledge  God  in 
all  our  ways." 

Having  our  faith  fixed  in  the  doctrine  of  Providence, 
the  way  to  be  directed  in  a  right  course  of  conduct  is, 
First,  to  make  the  word  of  God  our  rule. 
It  is  from  the  word  of  God,  that  we  are  to  learn  the 
mind  and  will  of  God;  there  are  directions  there  that  will 
throw  light  upon  any  case  ;  that  word  contains  sufficient 
rules  for  our  whole  conduct  through  life,  and  we  should 
look  to  see  what  there  is  in  it,  that  will  suit  our  particular 
case ;  we  should  look  to  the  rules  of  duty  which  it  holds 
forth,  to  help  and  guide  us  in  directing  every  point. 

We  will  suppose  you  to  be  in  doubt  in  some  particular 
case,  how  to  act,  or  what  course  to  take.  Have  you  taken, 
seriously  taken,  the  word  of  God  for  your  guide  ?  Have 
you  considered  whether  it  approves  or  condemns  the  pro- 
jected course  ?  It  is  not  always  easy  to  apply  the  general 
rules  of  Scripture  to  particular  cases  ;  and  yet,  we  should 
bring  every  case  to  this  as  our  rule,  with  the  simple  inten- 
tion of  knowing  our  duty,  and  we  may  generally  discover 
whether  it  is  consistent  with  the  will  of  God  or  not.  For  in- 
stance, are  you  desirous  to  make  a  change  in  your  situation, 
to  embark  in  some  new  enterprize  ?  you  must  first  ask,  "  is 
it  consistent  with  the  Scripture  rules  of  morality?"  This 
question  will  apply  in  the  case  of  smugglers,  pirates,  act- 
ors, and  all  caterers  for  the  lusts  and  appetites  of  men. 

If  the  object  be  in  itself  lawful,  your  next  inquiry 
should  be,  whether  the  projected  change  is  consistent  with 
the  rules  of  contentment ;  whether  your  motives  be  such 
as  the  Scripture  allows  ;  whether,  with  the  example  of  Lot 
before  your  eyes,  you  may  venture  upon  a  removal  or 
change,  where  your  spiritual  welfare  will  be  endangered, 


144  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.  JACKSON. 

for  the  sake  of  some  worldly  advantage  or  pleasure.  For  my 
part,  I  think  those  Christians  run  a  fearful  risk  of  offend- 
ing God,  and  injuring  their  souls,  who,  for  the  sake  of  gain, 
take  up  their  abode  in  cities  which  are  little  better  than 
Sodom,  or  in  the  wilderness,  where  the  sound  of  the  Gos- 
ple  is  not  heard.  Should  persecution  or  poverty  drive  them 
from  the  home  of  their  fathers,  then  they  ought,  like  the 
first  pilgrims  to  these  shores,  to  take  the  word,  and  wor- 
ship, and  ministry  of  God  with  them.  Better,  far  better, 
to  lack  the  bread  that  perishes,  than  that  which  comes 
down  from  heaven.  Hence,  when  God  denounces  his 
heaviest  curse,  He  threatens  a  famine,  not  of  bread  but  of 
the  word.  "  Behold  the  days  come,  saith  the  Lord  God, 
that  I  will  send  a  famine  in  the  land  ;  not  a  famine  of 
bread,  nor  a  thirst  for  water,  but  of  hearing  the  words  of 
the  Lord.* 

The  great  matter  in  appealing  to  the  Scriptures,  is  to 
do  it  with  a  mind  really  determined  to  be  directed  by  them, 
and  not  that  we  may  find  something  to  suit  our  inclinations 
and  prejudices  ;  otherwise  we  may  expect  to  be  deceived. 
We  must  really  take  the  word  of  God  for  our  rule,  simply 
and  fairly,  not  perverting  it  to  our  own  purposes. 

Here  let  me  add  a  caution.  Some  use  the  Bible  as  a 
sort  of  a  fortune-telling  book  ;  when  a  difficult  case  occurs, 
they  will  open  their  Bible  at  random,  and  observe  what 
text  strikes  the  eye,  and  according  as  their  imagination 
may  apply  the  pasage  to  the  point  in  question,  so  they 
judge  of  the  will  of  God,  call  it  a  leading  of  Providence, 
and  deem  it  a  duty  to  act  accordingly.  "  This  is  a  very 
weak  and  dangerous  practice,  and  a  sad  abuse  of  the 
word  of  God  ;  applying  it  to  a  purpose  for  which  the  Holy 
Ghost  never  intended  it.      It  savours  much  of  enthusiasm 

*  Amos  viii.  11. 


SERMONS.  145 

and  is  not  unlike  tempting  God."  "  Let  the  word  of  Christ 
dwell  in  you  richly  with  all  wisdom,"  and  let  your  appeal 
to  it,  be  honest,  sincere,  reverential,  and  according  to  the 
mind  of  God,  and  you  will  find  it  an  excellent  counsellor  in 
all  cases  of  difficulty  and  perplexity.  But,  you  say  that 
you  have  done  this,  and  yet  do  not  see  your  way  clear ;  as 
far  as  you  have  consulted  the  word  of  God,  you  do  not  see 
any  thing  against  your  plans  ;  you  do  not  see  that  the  pro- 
posed step  would  be  inconsistent  with  the  rules  of  morali- 
ty and  contentment,  yet  you  find  difficulties  in  your  way. 
What  must  be  done  next  ? 

We  may  be  conscious  that  the  thing  itself  is  not  dis- 
pleasing to  God,  and  yet  not  know  whether  it  is  His  will 
that  we  should  pursue  it.  Take  an  illustration.  David's 
project  to  build  a  temple  was  not  displeasing  to  God  ;  on 
the  contrary,  he  was  assured  that  he  did  well,  that  it  was 
in  his  heart;  yet  the  privilege  of  erecting  it,  was  reserved 
for  his  son.  Take  another  of  frequent  occurrence.  A  Chris- 
tian may  desire  the  office  of  the  ministry ;  that  desire  can- 
not be  otherwise  than  pleasing  to  God,  if  the  motive  be  pure  ; 
and  yet  there  may  be  difficult}*  in  ascertaining  whether  he 
himself  is  called  to  the  work.  The  same  may  apply  to  oth- 
er cases.     We  must  therefore, 

Secondly,  acknowledge  God  and  seek  His  direction,  by 
observing  the  leadings  of  His  Providence.  We  must  con- 
sider the  circumstances  which  favor  or  obstruct  our  designs, 
and  this  will  often  lead  us  to  a  discovery  of  the  divine  will. 
We  should  especially  consult  with  friends,  and  weigh 
events  in  our  own  minds.  We  should  consult  with  friends, 
and  from  this  source,  we  may  not  unfrequently  discover  the 
will  of  God.  We  should  weigh  events  in  our  own  minds  : 
we  should  look  around  us  to  observe  what  condition  and 
circumstances  we  are  in  ;  we  should  turn  our  eyes  and  our 

thoughts  about  every  way,  in  order  to  view  our  situation  in 
10 


146  REMAINS   OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

every  point  of  light,  that  we  may  be  enabled  to  form  a 
right  judgment  in  any  measure  we  have  on  hand.  Events 
will  be  arising  to  forward  or  hinder  our  purposes,  and  we 
should  regard  them  as  intimations  of  the  mind  of  God. 
Those  who  make  the  word  of  God  their  guide,  may  expect 
that  they  shall  not  be  left  in  darkness,  with  respect  to  his 
will. 

But  here  you  must  guard  your  constitutional  bias.  "  It 
is,"  as  Mr.  Cecil  says,  "  a  suspicious  interpreter  of  provi- 
dential leadings."  A  sanguine  man  sees  a  sign  and  token 
of  approbation  of  his  schemes  in  every  thing;  a  retiring  or 
slothful  person,  fancies  that  every  difficulty  is  a  mark  of 
disapprobation,  and  is  ever  fancying  that  "  there  is  a  lion 
in  the  way,"  Nor  are  dreams  or  fancied  revelations  to  be 
relied  upon,  now  that  the  volume  of  God's  word  is  com- 
plete. Providence  must  be  followed,  as  the  Israelites  fol- 
lowed the  pillar  of  cloud  ;  and  though  it  may  lead  3'ou  a 
circuitous  rout,  and  in  a  way  that  you  did  not  anticipate,  it 
will  assuredly  lead  you  right. 

Thirdly,  we  must  acknowledge  God  by  keeping  His 
glory  in  view.  Will  such  a  change,  or  such  a  connection 
be  for  the  glory  of  God  ?  This  is  a  question,  my  dear  hear- 
ers, which  we  should  often  be  asking.  Suppose  we  have 
an  opportunity  to  change  our  situation  to  our  temporal  ad- 
vantage, here  comes  this  serious  question.  Our  advantage 
may  not  be  the  governing  principle.  In  the  choice  of  two 
situations,  we  must  consider  in  which  we  shall  have  the 
best  opportunity  to  promote  the  honor  of  God,  our  own 
spiritual  advantage,  and  the  good  of  others.  This  is  the 
most  signal  manner  of  acknowledging  God  in  our  ways, 
and  will  ensure  success,  for,  "  them  that  honor  me  I  will 
honor." 

Fourthly.  We  must  acknowledge  Him,  and  seek  His 
direction  by  prayer. 


SERMONS.  147 

God  has  encouraged  us  to  come  to  a  throne  of  grace  in 
every  time  of  need  ;  our  supplication  should  be  earnest,  se- 
rious, and  submissive.  We  must  not  expect  any  secret 
revelations  or  impulses.  Impulses  of  the  mind  are  no  cri- 
terion of  the  will  of  God.  Satan  often  suggests  thoughts 
with  much  energy  to  the  mind.  Our  impressions  must  there- 
fore be  tried  by  the  same  touchstone  as  our  actions ;  we 
must  examine  them  by  the  word  of  God,  and,  if  they  are 
sanctioned  there,  then  they  must  be  according  to  His 
will. 

Nor  are  we  to  conclude  from  peculiar  enlargements  in 
prayer  that  God  favors  our  designs ;  the  importance  of  the 
case  may  give  earnestness  to  our  petitions,  and  cause  our 
words  to  flow.  The  simple  way  is,  when  we  pray  for 
guidance  in  any  perplexity,  to  beg  of  God,  that  He  would 
lead  our  thoughts  by  His  Holy  Spirit,  into  such  a  view  of 
the  directions  of  His  word,  and  the  leadings  of  His  Provi- 
dence, that  we  may  thence  be  able  to  judge  what  is  our 
path  of  duty ;  that  He  would  so  order  our  affairs,  as  to 
make  our  way  clear  to  us  ;  and  that  He  would  so  fix  our 
views,  and  incline  our  hearts,  as  to  make  us  ready  and 
willing  to  take  such  steps,  and  pursue  such  measures,  as 
may  be  most  conductive  to  His  glory  and  our  good.  "  If 
any  man  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,"  and  no  doubt 
his  doings  will  be  ordered  of  the  Lord. 

Fifthly  and  lastly.  We  must  "  acknowledge  God  in  all 
our  ways"  by  leaving  the  event  of  all  with  Him.  While 
we  are  found  in  the  way  I  have  been  describing,  we  may 
venture  with  safety  and  confidence,  to  "  cast  all  our  care 
upon  Him,"  and  leave  the  issue  in  His  hands. 

This  indeed,  will  require  much  self-denial  ;  and  if  we 
are  defective  here,  our  judgment  may  easily  be  warped. 
David  practised  a  signal  act  of  self-denial,  when  Saul  lay 


148  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

defenceless  in  the  cave.  He  knew  that  it  was  the  will  of 
Providence  that  he  should  have  the  crown  ;  Abishai  inter- 
preted it  to  be  a  providential  call  to  take  it,  but  David 
judged  otherwise,  and  he  would  rather  forego  the  honor  of 
wearing  it  forever,  than  take  it  with  a  hand  stained  in  blood. 
He  was  willing  to  leave  the  accomplishment  of  the  promise 
with  Him  who  made  it. 

This  course  will  require  much  patience.  We  must  not 
hurry  Providence,  We  must  not  go  before  our  guide.  The 
suspense  may  be  painful  to  us,  but  we  must  wait.  "  We 
must  tarry  the  Lord's  leisure."  The  grand  secret  seems  to 
be  to  "  wait  on  the  Lord  and  keep  His  way  ;"  thus  allowing 
God  to  work  in  His  own  time  and  wav.  Rebecca  and  Ja- 
cob  were  deficient  in  this  respect ;  hence,  they  began  to  work 
with  deceit  to  obtain  the  blessing  ;  and  the  blessing  the}'  did 
obtain,  for  so  heaven  had  decreed,  and  the  counsel  of  God 
must  stand  ;  but  it  came  with  a  rod  ;  hatred  is  sown  be- 
tween the  two  brothers  ;  Jacob  is  driven  from  his  own  home, 
and  Rebecca  never  sees  her  darling  son  again  ;  whereas, 
had  the)'  left  it  with  God,  He  would  have  accomplished  it 
in  the  right  time,  and  much  more  to  their  comfort  and  credit. 
Let  us  learn  from  them  to  acknowledge  God  in  our  ways, 
by  leaving  events  with  him. 

We  recapitulate  the  rules  we  have  laid  down. 

We  must  acknowledge  God  in  all  our  ways, 

1st.  By  consulting  His  holy  word  to  test  the  moral  qual- 
ity of  the  course  we  propose ;  i.  e.  to  learn  whether  it  be 
in  itself  right  or  wrong. 

2d.  By  observing  the  leadings  of  His  providence. 

3d.  By  keeping  His  glory  in  view. 

4th.  By  praying  for  His  direction  and  guidance. 

5th.  By  waiting  His  time  and  leaving  the  event  with 
Him.     And  so  God  will  direct  our  steps  ;  not,  it  may  be  in 


SERMONS.  149 

the  way  we  desire,  but  in  the  right  way — -that  which  will 
bring  us  to  His  own  presence,  where  there  is  "fulness  of 
joy,"  and  to  his  "  right  hand,  where  there  are  pleasures  for- 
evermore." 


SERMON  IV. 


"  According  to  your  faith  be  it  untoyou" — Matthew  ix.  29. 

It  is  obvious  to  every  individual,  who  is  at  all  acquainted 
with  the  gospel  of  Christ,  that  faith  is  a  grace  of  pre-eminent 
importance.  The  Apostle  Paul  occupies  one  entire  section 
of  his  incomparable  epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  in  defining  its 
nature  and  effects.  St  Peter  tells  us  that  it  is  "  much  more 
precious  than  gold  :"  it  is  derived  from  a  better  origin.  Gold 
is  the  product  of  the  earth ;  faith  is  the  gift  of  God,  and 
cometh  down  from  heaven.  It  partakes  of  a  better  nature. 
Gold  is  but  dust  refined  ;  faith  is  a  spiritual,  incorruptible 
treasure.  It  is  of  more  intrinsic  worth.  Gold  may  invest 
us  with  the  favor  of  men,  and  many  worldly  advantages ; 
faith  invests  us  with  the  favor  of  God,  and  all  the  blessings 
of  eternity.  "  Ye  are  all  the  children  of  God  by  faith  in 
Christ  Jesus ;"  "  and  if  children,  then  heirs,  heirs  of  God, 
and  joint  heirs  with  Christ."  Faith  is  the  author  of  a  better 
and  more  certain  hope.  That  which  springs  from  gold,  will 
be  swept  away  like  the  spider's  web,  because  it  is  built  only 
on  glittering  dust ;  but  hope,  the  offspring  of  faith,  will  never 
perish,  because  it  rests  on  the  immutable  rock  of  God's  own 
testimony  ;  "  and  heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away,  but  one 
jot,  or  one  tittle  of  his  word  shall  never  fail."  In  short,  so 
important,  so  precious  is  faith,  that  without  it,  no  man  can 
be  saved.  Next  to  the  love  of  God,  it  is  the  most  essential 
article  to  our  salvation.     From  his  love  emanates  every  act 


SERMONS.  151 

of  mercy  toward  man  ;  and  from  our  faith  springs  every  act 
of  holy,  acceptable  obedience  to  God.  "  Whatsoever  is  not 
of  faith,  is  sin." 

It  is  not  our  design  to  confine  your  attention  to  the  narra- 
tive immediately  connected  with  our  text ;  but  from  that  and 
other  instances  of  faith,  in  those  who  came  to  Christ  to  be 
healed,  it  will  be  our  aim  to  illustrate  the  nature  of  saving 
faith  ;  and  we  conceive  that  they  are  most  happily  adapted 
to  the  case  before  us.  It  is  obvious,  that  those  miraculous 
performances  were  designed,  not  only  to  establish  the  Sa- 
viour's doctrines,  and  to  confirm  his  mission,  but  also  to  il- 
lustrate and  explain  the  nature  of  his  doctrines,  and  to  devel- 
ope  the  object  of  his  mission.  There  is,  for  instance,  a  stri- 
king analogy  between  the  diseases  of  the  body,  and  the  moral 
maladies  of  the  soul.  The  resemblance  holds  good  in  the 
extraordinary  remedy  in  both  cases.  Who  could  have 
thought  of  Siloam's  water  restoring  sight  to  the  blind,  or  Be- 
thesda's  pool  giving  strength  to  the  lame  ?  And  who  could 
have  thought  of  deriving  life  and  strength  from  the  Redeem- 
er's blood  ?  The  instrument  of  healing  is  in  both  cases  the 
same  ;  "  if  thou  believest"  was  the  language  to  the  sick ; 
"  if  thou  believest"  is  the  language  addressed  to  sinners  ;  "  if 
thou  believest,  thou  shaltbe  saved."  Singly  and  collectively, 
our  Saviour's  miracles  are  "  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  re- 
proof, and  for  instruction  in  righteousness."  Individually, 
they  usually  illustrate  some  one  important  point ;  collective- 
ly, they  throw  light  upon  truth  generally.  Thus,  one  is 
raised  from  the  dead,  to  show  us  that  men  are  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins,  and  that  salvation  is  an  act  of  sovereign 
grace  ;  another  comes  voluntarily  to  be  healed,  to  teach  us 
that  God  expects  to  find  in  us  a  willing  mind  ;  a  third  is  re- 
stored upon  the  prayer  and  faith  of  a  friend,  to  show  us  the 
efficacy  of  fervent  prayer  in  behalf  of  them  that  are  out  of  the 
way.  .  Collectively,  these  miracles  teach  us  that  all  men 


152  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM,    JACKSON. 

are  by  nature  wretched  and  depraved ;  that  Christ  is  the 
only  Saviour,  and  that  salvation  is  through  faith. 

Before  we  enter  further  into  our  subject,  we  would  make 
one  remark,  which  will  tend  to  divest  it  of  that  air  of  mystery 
which  has  been  thrown  around  it  by  the  labored  explana- 
tions of  men,  who  have  but  darkened  counsel,  by  words 
without  knowledge. 

Our  remark  is,  that  faith,  so  far  from  being  the  most  in- 
comprehensible, is  the  simplest  act  of  the  mind.  Faith, 
credence,  or  belief,  is  in  every  instance  one  and  the  same 
principle.  It  is  not  one  thing  in  the  common  concerns  of 
life,  another  in  miracles,  and  another  in  salvation, — but  is, 
as  it  has  been  well  defined,  in  all  cases,  "  the  influential  be- 
lief of  testimony."  Thus  the  mariner  believes  upon  the  evi- 
dence of  competent  witnesses,  that  in  certain  parts,  there  are 
dangerous  rocks,  and  it  influences  the  course  of  his  naviga- 
tion. The  sick  believed  upon  sufficient  ground,  that  Christ 
and  his  Apostles  were  able  to  heal  their  sicknesses,  and 
they  sought  for  relief.  And  upon  the  testiomny  of  the  word 
of  God,  we  believe,  that  sin  unpardoned,  will  be  attended 
with  awful  consequences  ;  upon  the  same  testimon}^  we 
believe  that  Christ  is  able  and  willing  to  save  from  the  love, 
and  power,  and  curse  of  sin,  and  this  faith  influences  our 
heart  and  life. 

With  this  remark  premised,  we  proceed  to  illustrate  the 
nature  of  that  faith  which  is  unto  salvation,  in  the  manner 
we  have  already  proposed. 

I.  We  observe,  first,  that  saving  faith  is  a  principle  of 
assurance. 

By  assurance,  we  do  not  mean  that  persuasion  of  the 
mind  whereby  one  is  enabled  to  say  that  he  is  in  a  state  of 
salvation  ;  though  we  doubt  not  that  this  is  a  privilege  which 
all  Christians  may  attain,  and  towards  which  all  Christians 


SERMONS*  153 

ought  continually  to  aim.  That  the  disciples  of  old  were 
evangelically  assured  of  their  gracious  state,  must  be  admit- 
ted, if  there  be  any  meaning  in  such  declarations,  as,  "  we 
know  that  we  are  of  God,"  and  "  we  know  that  if  our  earth- 
ly house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  build- 
ing of  God,  an  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
heavens."  That  it  may  still  be  attained  is  equally  manifest, 
if  there  be  any  propriety  in  urging  Christians  to  "  examine 
themselves,  whether  they  be  in  the  faith."  But,  that  it  is 
either  generally  attained,  or  that  it  is  at  all  essential  to  the 
nature  of  saving  faith,  we  are  by  no  means  warranted  to 
affirm.  It  is  indeed  necessary  to  our  peace  and  comfort, 
and  when  joy  and  consolation  are  most  needed,  this  holy 
assurance  is  usually  the  most  strong;  witness  saints  in  per- 
secution, martyrs  at  the  stake,  and  Christians  on  their  sick 
and  dying  beds.  The  promise  is,  "  as  thy  day  is,  so  shall 
thy  strength  be  ;"  but  what  can  so  fill  the  soul  with  resigna- 
tion, and  enable  it  to  look  forward  to  the  last  great  change 
with  composure,  yea  with  desire,  as  an  inward  persuasion 
that  we  are  the  children  of  God  ?  Let  Christians  then  follow 
after  this  holy  assurance  in  health  and  prosperity,  or  it  may 
fail  to  succour  them  in  sickness  and  adversity.  Follow  after 
it,  Christians,  in  a  way  of  holy  obedience.  It  is  not  produ- 
ced in  the  soul  by  an  effort  of  the  mind,  but  is  the  result  of 
close  walking  with  God.  Follow  after  it ;  it  will  make  thy 
soul  fruitful  in  joy  and  peace  ;  it  will  renew  thy  inner  man 
with  firm,  unshaken  strength;  it  will  give  thee  "  an  abun- 
dant entrance  into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ." 

We  have  said,  that  faith  is  a  principle  of  assurance ;  by 
which  we  mean  a  persuasion  of  the  mind  in  the  all-suffi- 
ciency of  Christ.  Thus,  the  Centurion's  faith  persuaded  him 
that  a  word  from  Christ  could  as  easily  control  the  disease 


154  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

of  his  servant,  as  his  command  would  ensure  obedience  from 
the  soldiers  placed  under  his  authority.  Thus,  the  faith  of 
the  woman,  who  had  many  years  tried  the  skill  of  physicians 
and  could  not  be  healed,  persuaded  her,  that  if  she  might 
"but  touch  the  hem  of  his  garment,  she  would  be  made 
whole."  Thus,  Martha  was  assured,  that  whatever  Jesus 
asked  of  his  Father,  it  would  be  done  ;  "  I  know  that  even 
now,  whatsoever  thou  wilt  ask  of  God,  God  will  give  it 
thee."  Here,  in  each  instance,  is  a  full  persuasion  of 
Christ's  sufficiency  to  meet  each  individual  case.  But  what 
gave  such  energy  to  their  faith  ?  The  known  ability  and  be- 
nevolence of  the  object  of  their  faith.  Their  confidence  was 
grounded  upon  testimony.  They  knew  the  promise  which 
testified  of  the  Messiah,  that  when  he  came,  "  the  eyes  of 
the  blind  should  be  opened,  and  the  ears  of  the  deaf  unstop- 
ped ;  that  the  lame  man  should  leap  as  a  hart,  and  the 
tongue  of  the  dumb  should  sing."  They  had  heard  or  seen 
that  the  promise  was  verified  ;  "  the  dead  were  raised,  the 
lepers  cleansed,  and  the  blind  received  their  sight ;"  and  it 
gave  birth  in  them,  to  a  vigorous,  active  faith. 

Upon  such  testimony,  O  sinner  !  such  faith  is  demanded 
from  thee,  in  His  sufficiency  to  bring  salvation  to  thy  soul. 
Observe,  we  assume  the  idea,  that  you  are  sensible  of  }rour 
state  as  a  sinner ;  that  you  feel  yourself  polluted  as  a  leper ; 
helpless  as  a  paralytic  ;  wretched  as  a  demoniac  ;  and  un- 
less a  Saviour  can  be  found,  as  inevitably  exposed  to  eter- 
nal ruin,  as  ever  any  disease  subjected  any  mortal  frame  to 
temporal  death.  Is  the  assumption  false  ?  Ah  !  my  hear- 
er, it  is  in  vain  then  that  we  talk  with  you  of  faith  in  Christ, 
for  the  whole  need  not,  and  they  who  fancy  themselves 
whole  will  not  seek  a  physician,  but  they  that  are  sick.  Go 
thou  first,  and  learn  that  "  the  whole  head  is  sick,  and  the 
whole  heart  faint,"  and  that  a  malignant  distemper  pervades 


SERMONS.  155 

the  whole  soul.  But,  may  we  not  hope  that  there  are  some 
present,  who  felt  in  their  hearts,  while  they  confessed  with 
their  lips,  that  there  is  no  health  in  them  !  From  such,  we 
say,  upon  such  testimony,  a  firm  faith  is  demanded  in  the 
sufficiency  of  Him  who  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners. 
Here  is  the  testimony  of  God  concerning  his  Son,  "  that 
whosoever  believeth  in  him  shall  not  perish,  but  have  ever- 
lasting life."  Here  is  the  evidence  of  a  great  cloud  of 
witnesses,  that  "  He  is  able  to  save  to  the  very  uttermost,  all 
that  come  unto  God  by  him."  And  then  for  your  confirm- 
ation, lift  up  your  eyes  to  that  glorious  scene  which  the 
Apostle  saw,  and  behold  "  a  great  multitude  which  no  man 
can  number,  who  have  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them 
white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb  ;"  and  tell  us,  what  is  there 
in  your  case,  O  penitent  sinner !  that  places  you  beyond 
the  reach  of  mercy  so  extensive,  beyond  the  virtue  of  blood 
so  efficacious  ?  Are  your  sins  great0}  so  were  theirs.  Are 
they  numerous  ?  so  were  theirs.  Are  they  aggravated  ?  so 
were  theirs.  Only  one  thing  can  place  you  beyond  the 
reach  of  divine  goodness,  and  that  is  an  evil  heart  of  unbe- 
lief. Would  you  enjoy  the  comforts  of  pardoning  mercy, 
of  sanctifying  grace,  and  the  hope  of  glory  ?  Get  a  firm 
persuasion  of  the  ability  and  willingness  of  Christ  to  save 
from  all  sin.  The  more  implicitly  we  depend  on  Christ, 
and  expect  great  things  from  Him,  the  more  we  honor  Him 
with  our  unwavering  confidence  ;  the  more  evidently  will 
He  honor  us  with  His  salvation.  His  lauguage  to  us,  is 
"  according  to  your  faith  be  it  unto  you." 

II.  Our  second  remark  on  the  nature  of  true  saving 
faith  is,  that  it  is  an  active  principle  ;  it  stimulates  to  imme- 
diate exertion  ;  it  admits  not  of  careless  ease,  nor  of  carnal 
security. 

Is  the  sinner  convinced  of  his  wretched  state  ?     Has  he 


156  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

heard  of  a  Saviour  ?  Does  he  credit  the  testimony  ?  He 
makes  immediate  application  to  that  Saviour,  and  persists 
in  his  application,  until  the  Saviour  graciously  replies,  "  thy 
sins  are  forgiven,  go  in  peace."  But  let  us  see  how  this 
fact  also  is  illustrated  by  the  halt,  the  maimed,  and  the 
blind.  When  they  believed,  they  came  to  Christ,  like  the 
ten  lepers.  If  they  were  not  able  to  come,  they  caused 
themselves  to  be  brought,  like  the  man  sick  of  a  palsey. 
And  if  they  could  neither  come,  nor  be  brought,  then  like 
Lazarus,  they  sent  for  Christ.  Faith  always  persisted,  by 
some  means,  in  making  application ;  it  persevered  against 
every  discouragement ;  it  surmounted  every  difficulty;  it 
would  take  no  denial.  Can  they  not  for  the  throng,  ap- 
proach where  Jesus  is  ?  Faith  prompts  them  to  ascend  the 
roof  of  the  house,  and  let  down  into  His  presence,  the  bed 
whereon  the  paralytic  lies.  Do  the  disciples  charge  Barti- 
meus  to  hold  his  peace  ?  Faith  constrains  him  to  "  cry  out 
so  much  the  more  a  great  deal,  Jesus,  thou  son  of  David, 
have  mercy  on  me."  Does  Jesus  himself,  seem  to  repel 
the  Canaanitish  woman  ?  Faith  can  take  no  denial,  it  finds 
an  argument  even  in  the  discouragement ;  "  and  she  an- 
swered, and  said,  truth,  Lord,  3ret  the  dogs  eat  of  the 
crumbs  which  fall  from  their  master's  table." 

So,  faith  in  Christ  as  a  Saviour,  is  incompatible  with 
sloth  ;  it  is  the  spring  of  the  soul ;  the  instant  it  operates, 
that  moment  it  is  said,  "  Behold  he  p-ayeth."  The  sinner 
apprehends  his  danger,  and  he  must  avoid  it.  It  is  an  im- 
pulse of  reason,  if  danger  threatens,  to  urge  an  immediate 
escape  ;  it  is  an  impulse  of  grace,  to  urge  a  like  es- 
cape from  eternal  ruin.  Self-preservation  is  the  first  law  of 
nature  ;  self-preservation  is  the  first  law  of  faith.  Let  the 
arrow  of  conviction  strike  deeply  into  the  heart ;  let  the  ter- 
rors of  hell  flash  upon  the  conscience  ;  let  the  prospect  of 


SERMONS.  157 

salvation  open  upon  the  eye  of  faith,  and  the  man  will  as 
naturally  flee  for  the  life  of  his  soul,  as  any  would  flee  from 
a  pestilence,  or  a  serpent.  Many,  indeed,  there  are,  who 
think  themselves  good  believers,  who  are  not  at  all  con- 
scious of  having  ever  thus  cared  for  their  salvation.  But 
that  faith  which  is  not  preceded  by  a  sense,  a  deep  sense, 
of  sin  and  danger,  which  drives  not  a  man  from  every  re- 
fuge of  lies,  which  leads  not  the  soul  with  humility  and  pen- 
itence to  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and  which  forms  not  the  holy 
resolution  if  it  perishes,  to  die  with  the  prayer  for  mercy  on 
the  faltering  tongue,  is  not  faith,  and  they  are  not  believers. 
No,  they  are  spiritually  leprous,  and  blind,  and  dead.  Faith 
in  Christ,  let  it  always  be  remembered,  is  not  only  the  be- 
lief of  testimony,  but,  it  is  an  influential  belief.  Hence, 
wherever  it  exists,  it  leads  the  soul  to  the  Saviour  with  the 
same  diligence,  earnestness,  and  determination,  which  we 
have  seen  displayed  in  those  who  came  to  him  to  be  healed  of 
their  bodily  infirmities.  It  may  be  attended  with  a  deep 
sense  of  unworthiness,  it  may  be  reproved  and  discouraged, 
it  may  even  be  led  to  exclaim,  "  hath  God  forgotten  to  be  gra- 
cious?" But,  it  always  prays,  and  never  faints;  the  suit 
must  be  gained  ;  it  can  take  no  denial.  It  looks  at  the 
promise,  and  fastens  upon  it  like  an  anchor,  sure  and  stead- 
fast, until  He  who  gave  the  word  says,  "  according  to  thy 
faith  be  it  unto  thee." 

Nor  does  this  holy  principle  affect  the  life  less  than  the 
heart.  Let  it  not  then  be  branded  as  tending  to  pride 
and  licentiousness.  No,  it  is  the  spring,  the  only  spring  of 
that  obedience  which  God  requires  from  His  creatures. 
"  Faith,  purifies  the  heart,  and  works  by  love." 

When  it  has  brought  salvation  to  the  soul,  the  believer 
persists  in  following  Jesus  in  the  way  ;  in  the  way  of  holi- 
ness.  He  is  not,  indeed,  solicitous  to  obtain  salvation  by  the 


158  REMAINS*    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

works  of  the  law  ;  but,  because  he  sees  such  deformity  in 
sin,  such  beauty  in  holiness ;  and  because  therein,  his  fa- 
ther which  is  in  heaven  is  glorified  ;  therefore  he  is  zealous 
in  good  works,  and  all  the  frowns  or  smiles,  the  rebukes  or 
allurements  of  the  world,  cannot  turn  him  aside  from  his 
purpose  to  "  walk  in  all  the  ordinances  and  commandments 
of  the  Lord  blameless."  Faith  inoperative  ?  As  well 
might  believing  Noah  have  disobeyed  the  divine  command  ; 
— or  Lot  have  lingered  in  Sodom  ; — or  the  Israelites  have 
refused  to  escape  from  their  bondage.  Noah  believed,  and 
therefore  "  he  prepared  an  ark  to  the  saving  of  his  house." 
Lot  believed,  and  therefore  he  fled  for  his  life.  The  Israel- 
ites believed,  and  therefore  "  they  forsook  Egypt,  subdued 
kingdoms,  wrought  righteousness,"  and  entered  into  the  prom- 
ised land.  And  according  to  every  man's  faith,  so  will  be 
his  "  bowels  of  mercies,  kindness,  humbleness  of  mind, 
meekness,  long-suffering,  forbearance,  forgiveness,  char- 
ity." 

Such  is  faith,  in  its  genuine  nature,  and  highest  degree  of 
excellence.  But,  we  have  a  third  remark  to  make,  drawn  also 
from  the  conduct  of  those  who  came  to  Christ  to  experience 
his  healing  power,  which  we  would  not  withhold,  for  the 
sake  of  those  with  whom  it  is  "  a  day  of  small  things  :"  viz. 

III.  That  in  different  individuals  there  are  various  degrees 
of  faith. 

Thus,  we  find  that  one  is  persuaded  of  the  ahilifij  of 
Christ,  but  he  doubts  his  willingness.  "  There  came  a  leper 
and  worshipped  him,  saying,  Lord,  if  thou  wilt,  thou  canst 
make  me  clean."  He  had  heard  or  seen  demonstrations  of 
his  power,  but  he  knew  not  the  extent  of  his  goodness,  or 
perhaps  he  regarded  himself  as  unworthy  of  such  a  favor ; 
but  he  had  faith  enough  to  pray,  and  his  prayer  was  heard, 
and  he  was  cleansed. 


SERMONS.  159 

The  father  of  the  lunatic  child,  doubts  of  his  ability,  but 
he  has  confidence  in  his  goodness.  He  thought  it  a  hard 
case,  and  knew  not  whether  such  a  complication  of  diseases 
could  be  removed.  It  was  a  lunatic,  and  dumb,  and  pos- 
sessed ;  it  had  been  so  from  a  child  ;  he  had  applied  to  the 
disciples  and  they  had  failed,  and  he  knew  not  but  that  the 
Master  might  also  fail ;  and  who  can  wonder  that  his  faith 
was  not  of  the  highest  cast?  But,  mark,  he  had  faith 
enough  to  cry  out,  "if  thou  canst  do  any  thing,  have  com- 
passion on  us,  and  help  us."  Christ  pitied  his  infirmity, 
and  healed  his  son. 

When  Peter  ventured  on  the  deep  at  his  Lord's  com- 
mand, there  was  within  him  a  strange  conflict  between  con- 
fidence and  fear.  Under  the  pressure  of  unbelief,  he  began 
to  sink,  but  he  had  faith  enough  to  pray,  and  He  who  can- 
not hear  the  prayer  of  faith  in  vain,  soon  stretched  out  his 
omnipotent  arm,  and  delivered  him  at  once  from  his  dan- 
gers and  his  doubts. 

Thus,  the  sinner  seeking  salvation,  may  be  assailed 
with  many  apprehensions,  but  where  there  is  "faith  as  a 
grain  of  mustard  seed,"  there  is  enough  to  remove  a  moun- 
tain of  corruption.  Where  there  is  faith  to  bring  the  sinner 
to  Christ,  though  he  comes  with  a  trembling  step,  there  is 
enough  to  bring  salvation  to  the  soul.  Where  the  cry  is 
heard,  "Lord  I  believe,  help  thou  my  unbelief;"  "Lord 
save,  or  I  perish  ;"  he  may  chide,  but  he  will  not  deny  our 
request. 

Christians  should,  however,  ^ebuke  their  souls  for  their 
little  faith,  as  David  did  ; — "  Why  art  thou  cast  down,  O 
my  soul!  and  why  art  thou  disquieted  within  me!"  It  is 
dishonorable  to  God,  to  mistrust  his  sufficiency  or  goodness. 
The  testimony  which  he  has  given,  demands  our  fullest 
confidence,  and  we  ought  to  aim  at  a  firm  and  lasting  as- 


160  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

surance  in  the  divine  word.  The  faith  which  honors  God 
most,  and  brings  peace  on  its  swiftest  wing,  is  that  which 
"staggers  not  at  the  promise  of  God  through  unbelief." 
Know  this,  weak  believer,  that  while  Christ  "will  not 
break  the  bruised  reed,  nor  quench  the  smoking  flax,"  he 
delights  to  know  them  most,  who  most  honor  him.  "Ac- 
cording to  your  faith,"  whether  it  be  weak  or  strong,  so  it 
shall  be  done  unto  you. 

To  conclude — O !  ye  who  labor  under  a  sense  of  sin, 
who  feel  the  malady  of  your  souls,  and  yet  fear  to  go  to 
Christ,  our  subject  speaks  to  you.  It  seems  to  say,  come, 
poor  sinner,  come  to  Jesus  ;  he  stands  ready  to  save  to  the 
very  uttermost,  and  all  that  he  demands  is  thy  faith  ;  and 
how  reasonable  that  thou  shouldest  com  mi  L  trry  soul  into  the 
hands  of  thy  Creator,  Preserver,  and  Redeemer,  a  being  of 
matchless  wisdom,  truth,  power,  and  love.  Sinner,  art 
thou  still  fearful,  still  unbelieving?  "Wherefore  do  ye 
doubt,  O  ye  of  little  faith  ?"  What  could  the  Lord  Jesus 
have  done  more  for  your  encouragement  that  he  has  not 
done ?  Are  \tou  polluted ?  He  withholds  not  his  touch 
from  the  foulest  disease.  Is  your  case  inveterate,  does  it 
defy  all  earthly  skill?  Winds,  and  storms,  and  unclean 
spirits  obey  his  voice.  Do  you  deem  yourself  unworthy  ? 
Even  publicans  and  harlots  share  in  his  mercy.  But,  you 
say  that  there  is  an  infinite  disparity  between  the  diseases 
of  the  body  and  the  soul.  The  Son  of  man,  when  on  earth, 
forgave  sins  also.  And  is  he  less  condescending,  less  com- 
passionate, less  kind,  now  he  is  in  Heaven,  than  when  on 
earth  ?  No,  he  is  "Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  to-da}r, 
and  forever."  And  all  that  he  demands  from  thee,  is  thy 
faith.  Only  believe,  and  "according  to  your  faith  shall  it 
be  unto  }rou." 

Unbelievers,  our  subject  speaks  to  you.     In  this  class 


SERMONS.  161 

we  rank  all  those  who  believe  the  Bible,  as  they  believe 
the  history  of  Greece  or  Rome,  who  know  no  other  species 
of  faith,  than  that  which  they  derive  from  the  circumstance 
of  being  born  in  a  Christian  land,  who  never  mourned  over 
sin  and  corruption  as  their  greatest  curse,  who  never  felt 
the  leprosy  lie  deep  within,  who  never  panted  for  the  heal- 
ing power  of  the  balm  of  Gilead,  more  than  for  restoration 
to  health ;  and  who  never  desire  to  be  saved  from  the  love 
and  power  of  sin,  with  the  same  intensity  that  they  desire 
deliverance  from  its  curse.  You  dishonor  God  in  the  highest 
degree :  you  deny  his  veracity,  and  dispute  his  power  ; 
you  place  more  confidence  in  the  word  of  a  fallible  creature, 
than  in  the  word  of  your  infallible  Creator.  Were  some 
fellow-mortal,  upon  whose  integrity  you  had  the  least  re- 
liance, to  tell  you  that  a  pestilence  raged  in  such  a  place, 
or  that  such  a  man  was  unworthy  of  your  confidence,  you 
would  avoid  both  the  one  and  the  other.  But  God,  who 
cannot  lie,  tells  you,  that  the  way  of  the  world  is  the  way 
of  death,  and  yet  you  love  the  world,  and  the  things  that 
are  in  the  world.  He  tells  you  that  your  "heart  is  deceit- 
ful above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked,"  but  vou 
think  and  say  that  whatever  your  foibles  may  be,  your 
hearts  are  good.  He  tells  you  that  no  man  can  be  saved 
but  by  grace  alone  though  faith,  and  yet  you  will  place 
your  hopes  on  your  good  works. 

Why  do  you  thus  reject  the  counsel  of  God  ?     Is  it  for 

want  of  testimony6?     Was  it  for  want  of  testimony  that  the 

Antediluvians  perished  by  the  flood  ;  or  the  Sodomites  by 

fire  ;  or  the  Egyptians  by  the  judgments  of  Heaven  ?     Nay, 

but  because  their  hearts  were  fully  set  in  them  to  do  evil. 

And  if  you.  believe  not,  it  is  because  you  love  sin,  and  Iiate 

holiness,  and  because  your  "carnal  mind  is  enmity  against 

God,"  so  that  you  are  without  excuse  ;    and  our  suiject 
"ll 


162  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.   WM.   JACKSON. 

speaks  to  you  in  language  which  may  unclose  the  joints  of 
the  loins,  and  make  the  knees  tremble,  and  every  face  gath- 
er blackness,  and  every  heart  faint  for  fear.  "  According 
to  your  unbelief  be  it  unto  you."  That  is,  in  the  plain  lan- 
guage of  the  Gospel,  "  your  [damnation  slumbereth  not." 
11  He  that  believeth  shall  be  saved,  and  he  that  believeth 
not  shalt  be  damned." 


SERMON  V. 

"  But  the  righteousness  which  is  of  faith,  speaketh  on  this 
wise,  Say  not  in  thine  heart,  who  shall  ascend  into  heaven  ? 
{that  is,  to  bring  Christ  down  from  above:)  Or,  who  shall  de- 
scend into  the  deep?  {that  is,  to  bring  up  Christ  again  from  the 
dead.)  But  what  saith  it  ?  The  word  is  nigh  thee,  even  in  thy  mouth, 
and  in  thy  heart :  that  is,  the  word  of  faith,  which  we  preach  ; 
That  if  thou  shalt  confess  with  thy  mouth  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
shalt  believe  in  thine  heart  that  God  hath  raised  Him  from  the 
dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved. — Romans  x.  6 — 9. 

The  "  righteousness  of  the  law,"  of  which  we  some- 
times read,  is  the  obedience  which  the  law  requires,  "  by 
which  no  flesh  shall  be  justified  in  the  sight  of  God."  The 
"  righteousness  which  is  of  faith,"  is  that  which  we  derive 
from  Christ  by  inspiration,  through  faith  in  Him.  The 
Apostle  personifies,  and  represents  the  latter,  as  reasoning 
with,  or  answering  the  objections  of  a  convinced  sinner 
against  the  general  method  of  salvation.  The  character 
supposed,  seems  to  lie  under  a  terrible  apprehension  of  his 
own  guilt  and  danger ;  and,  so  far  to  have  escaped  from 
error,  as  to  be  on  the  very  confines  of  truth  ;  yet  certain  cav- 
ils are  secretly  working  in  his  heart.  He  is  conscious  of 
his  guilt,  and  yet  cannot  give  a  cordial  reception  to  the 
righteousness  of  faith.  This  prejudice  against  the  way  of 
salvation  by  faith,  is  not  peculiar  to  any  age  or  nation  ;  it 


164  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

is  unlimited  and  universal  as  the  depravity  of  man,  or  the 
dominion  of  the  evil  one.  To  the  Jews,  long  wedded 
to  the  ceremonial  law,  it  was  a  grievous  stumbling  block. 
"  The  righteousness  of  God  by  faith  of  Jesus  Christ,"  dis- 
solved their  long  enjoyed  privilege  as  a  peculiar  people, 
God's  only  Church;  for,  "His  righteousness  is  unto  all,  and 
upon  all  them  that  believe."  It  abolishes  the  priesthood, 
which  they  knew  to  be  of  divine  origin;  for,  there  is  "no 
need  of  priests  to  offer  oftentimes  the  blood  of  beasts,  see- 
ing Christ  has,  by  his  own  blood,  taken  away  sin,"  and  is 
now  the  only  intercessor  between  God  and  man.  It  made 
void  their  ceremonies  and  carnal  ordinances,  "  in  that  they 
are  weak  and  could  not  make  the  comers  thereunto  per- 
fect." And,  that  which  is  most  humbling  to  the  pride  of 
human  nature,  it  makes  self-righteousness  of  no  effect  in 
the  great  matter  of  justification  ;  for,  "by  Christ  alone,  all 
that  believe  are  justified." 

Though  we  are  not  entangled  with  the  trammels  of  Ju- 
daism,  let  us  not  suppose  that  we  are  entirely  escaped  from 
the  same  snares  of  unbelief.  No  :  as  "  all  men  are  of  one 
blood,"  so  they  are  partakers  of  one  nature.  Circumstan- 
ces are  changed,  but  Satan  has  a  device  for  every  age,  for 
every  people,  and  for  Christians  in  every  stage  of  their  expe- 
rience. Self-righteousness  is  the  idol  of  every  unrenewed 
heart ;  it  is  the  strong  man  armed  ;  it  is  the  barrier  to  re- 
conciliation between  God  and  man  ;  it  is,  in  all  its  modifi- 
cations, a  deadly  bane  to  holiness,  happiness  and  salva- 
tion. 

It  is  natural  to  a  mind  just  roused  to  a  sense  of  its  dan- 
ger, just  emerging  from  darkness,  to  start  many  objections, 
and  to  raise  many  doubts  and  difficulties ;  but  the  right- 
eousness of  faith  answers  them  all.  Mark — it  is  faith,  not 
reason  that  answers  them.     Reason  cannot,  for  there  are 


SERMONS.  165 

many  points  beyond  its  stretch  ;  but  faith  can,  because  it 
rests  on  simple  testimony.  Where  reason's  plummet  fails, 
faith  can  fathom  ;  where  reason  staggers,  faith  is  steadfast ; 
where  reason  breaks,  faith  will  bend.  Reason  is  satisfied 
with  nothing  less  than  the  complete  solution  of  every  diffi- 
cult}7, the  entire  comprehension  of  the  rationale  of  the 
whole  subject ;  whereas  it  is  enough  for  faith,  that  God  has 
spoken. 

Take,  for  instance,  the  threatened  Deluge.  Reason  per- 
haps told  the  learned  of  those  days,  as  it  has  the  sceptics 
of  our  own  times,  that  such  an  event  is  contrary  to  the 
principles  of  sound  philosophy,  and  that  the  sea  does  not 
contain  water  enough  to  drown  the  world  ;  but  God  said, 
"it  shall  be,"  and  Noah  believed;  and  while  they  sank, 
with  all  their  reasoning,  into  a  watery  grave,  he,  in  the  life- 
boat of  faith,  floated  safely  on  the  bosom  of  the  deep.  And 
thus  will  it  ever  be  with  those,  who  reject  faith,  and  wor- 
ship at  the  shrine  of  reason.  She  is  a  blind  goddess,  and 
with  all  her  pretensions  to  wisdom,  will  at  last  lead  all  her 
votaries  into  the  whirlpool  of  perdition.  Faith  is  a  certain 
pilot  that  guides  to  a  sure  haven.  It  is  to  faith  then,  dear 
distressed  soul,  that  you  must  look  for  a  solution  of  all  dif- 
ficulties, for  an  answer  to  all  your  doubts  ;  or,  rather  let 
the  righteousness  of  Christ  give  the  answer,  and  let  faith 
receive  and  act  upon  it. 

We  are  not  ignorant  of  the  workings  of  such  a  mind  as 
we  have  supposed  ;  we  shall  notice  some  of  them,  and  en- 
deavor to  give  such  answers,  as  the  Gospel  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  may  furnish,  in  the  humble  hope,  that  any, 
here  present,  who  may  be  "  laboring  in  the  fire,  and  wea- 
rying themselves  for  very  vanity,"  may  be  brought  forth 
purified  from  the  dross  of  unbelief,  and  enabled  to  embrace 
Christ  in  the  arms  of  faith. 


166  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

I.  The  first  cry  of  the  soul  under  a  sense  of  guilt,  is, 
"  What  shall  I  do  ?  To  whom  shall  I  go  ?  Oh,  that  there 
were  one  able  and  willing  to  save  such  a  sinner  as  I !  " 
What  saith  the  "  righteousness  of  faith  ?"  Say  not,  Oh,  that 
there  were  such  a  Saviour!  but  what  saith  it?  "  Help  is 
laid  upon  one  that  is  mighty."  He  saw  thee  and  pitied  thee, 
when  thou  wast  removed  by  sin  to  an  infinite  distance  from 
God,  and  He  stretched  out  His  Almighty  arm  to  deliver 
thee,  and  to  bring  thee  back.  All  the  obstacles  which  lay 
in  thy  way  are  removed.  Thy  transgressions  are  drowned 
in  the  ocean  of  His  love  ;  the  curse  of  a  broken  law  was 
silenced  when  He  said,  "  It  is  finished  ;"  the  justice  of  an 
offended  Deity  is  appeased ;  and  though  sin  has  closed  the 
way  of  salvation  by  works,  Christ  has  opened  a  new  way, 
a  way  of  salvation  "  by  grace  alone,  through  faith." 

It  is  not  necessary  that  thou  shouldest  provide  a  Saviour, 
for  Christ  is  set  forth  to  be  the  Saviour  of  all  that  believe, 
a  Mediator  between  God  and  man  ;  and  all  that  He  re- 
quires is,  that  thou  shouldest  come  to  Him,  tell  Him  thy  case, 
spread  thy  woes  before  Him,  trust  thyself  in  His  hands, 
so  shalt  thou  be  saved. 

II.  Oh  !  exclaims  the  distressed  soul,  "  that  I  knew 
where  I  might  find  Him  ! "  '  I  would  balhe  his  feet  in  pen- 
itential tears,  I  would  pour  out  my  soul  into  his  bosom,  and 
move  Him  to  compassion  by  my  cries  ;  but  I  know  not 
where  He  dwells. 

But  what  saith  the  righteousness  of  faith  ?  "  Say  not  in 
thine  heart,  who  shall  ascend  into  heaven  to  bring  Christ 
down  from  above  ?  or,  who  shall  decend  into  the  deep,  to 
bring  Christ  up  again  from  the  dead  ?  "  The  Saviour  is  not 
in  the  insurmountable  heights  above,  nor  in  the  unfathoma- 
ble depths  beneath,  nor  at  the  uttermost  ends  of  the  world. 
No,  He  is  nigh  thee.     He  is  "  about  thy  bed  and  about  thy 


SERMONS.  167 

path ;"  in  thy  closet  and  in  the  sanctuary ;  His  word 
sounds  in  thy  ear ;  His  hand  knocks  at  the  door  of  thy 
heart ;  that  is  "  the  word  of  faith  which  we  preach."  And 
what  saith  it?  It  does  not  say,  if  thou  wilt  make  satisfac- 
tion for  thy  sins  ;  if  thou  wilt  perform  a  wearisome  pilgrim- 
age ;  if  thou  wilt  mortify  the  flesh  with  murderous  austeri- 
ties ;  or,  if  thou  wilt  do  some  great  thing,  thou  shall  be  sav- 
ed. But,  "if  thou  shalt  confess  with  thy  mouth  ;"  if  thou 
wilt  acknowledge,  and  confess,  and  bewail  thy  "  manifold 
sins  and  wickedness  :"  if  thou  dost  confess  that  thou  art  a 
hell-deserving  sinner,  and  that  God  would  be  just,  should 
He  consign  thee  over  to  the  "  blackness  of  darkness"  for- 
ever. If  thou  shalt  confess  Him  before  man,  openly  and  in 
opposition  to  all  difficulties,  profess  his  religion,  adhere  to 
his  truth,  and  observe  his  ordinances  and  commandments ; 
and,  if  this  confession  proceeds  from  faith  in  thine  heart; 
if  thou  believe  in  all  the  testimony  which  God  has  given 
concerning  Jesus  Christ,  and  shall  trust  in  Him  as  thy  Sa- 
viour ;  if  thou  believe  in  thy  heart  that  Christ  lived,  and 
died,  and  rose  again,  for  thy  justification  :  if  thou  thus  "be- 
lieve unto  righteousness,"  or,  by  faith  receive  the  righteous- 
ness of  Christ  as  thy  righteouness  ;  and  with  thy  mouth 
make  confession,  and  ratify  both  by  a  holy  life,  thou  shalt 
be  saved;  for,  "with  the  heart  man  believeth  unto  right- 
eousness ;  and  with  the  mouth  confession  is  made  unto  sal- 
vation." 

O,  blessed  terms  !  exactly  suited  to  a  sinner  who  has 
nothing  to  give.  If  God  required  from  us  only  one  farthing, 
one  sinless  act,  it  would  be  an  amount  we  could  not  pay. 
But,  it  is  now  only  ask  and  have ;  touch  the  sceptre  and 
be  pardoned  ;  look  to  Jesus  and  be  saved  ;  stretch  out  thy 
hand  and  be  made  whole.  Who  would  not  be  saved,  when 
salvation  is  offered  "without  money,  and  without  price  ?" 


168  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

Hard,  proud,  and  impenitent  indeed,  must  be  that  heart, 
which  would  rather  be  lost  than  saved  by  grace. 

III.  But  an  evil  heart  objects,  "the  subject  is  involved 
in  such  mystery,  that  I  know  not  what  to  do  ?  I  see  not  how 
God  can  be  'just  and  the  justifier  of  him  that  believeth;' 
I  see  not  how  He  can  lay  the  sins  of  the  guilty  on  the  head 
of  the  innocent ;  I  see  not  how  many  other  difficulties  can 
be  solved ;  they  are  too  high,  too  deep  for  me." 

What  says  the  Gospel?  If  reason  cannot,  Faith  can.  If 
human  intellect  cannot  embrace  that  which  is  incomprehen- 
sible, a  divine  intellect  can.  "  The  righteousness  which  is  of 
faith,"  saith,  "if  thou  shalt  confess  with  thy  mouth  the  Lord 
Jesus,  and  shalt  believe  in  thine  heart,  thou  shalt  be  saved." 

Admitting  that  salvation  by  grace  is  connected  with 
mysteries  high  as  heaven,  deep  as  hell ;  this  need  not  hinder 
your  receiving  it  by  faith.  Can  we  not  navigate  the  ocean 
until  we  have  fathomed  its  depths  ?  Can  we  not  enjoy  the 
light  of  the  sun,  and  behold  the  glory  of  the  moon  and  stars, 
until  we  have  scanned  their  height?  Why  then  can  we  not 
believe  and  be  saved,  even  though  the  method  of  salvation 
be  a  mystery  to  us  ?  Say  not  the  way  of  salvation  is  dark 
and  inexplicable;  it  is  "so  plain  that  a  wayfaring  man, 
though  a  fool,  need  not  err  therein."  Perplex  not  your 
minds  with  curious  and  useless  enquiries,  but  take  that  which 
God  has  revealed,  as  you  take  that  which  God  has  made, 
and  be  thankful.  "Secret  things  belong  unto  the  Lord  our 
God,  but  those  things  which  are  revealed  belong  unto  us." 
Say  not  that  the  plan  is  hid  in  the  secret  councils  of  God, 
or  is  involved  in  obscurity  and  mysticism  ;  "  The  word  is 
nigh  thee,  even  in  thy  mouth  and  in  thy  heart."  However 
it  may  have  been  "hid  from  ages  and  from  generations,  it 
is  now  made  manifest  to  his  saints,"  and  if  we  perish,  it  is 
with  a  Saviour  in  view.     If  we  die  in  our  sins  we  are  with- 


SERMONS.  169 

out  excuse ;  if  we  go  into  the  pit,  it  is  because  we  close  our 
ey»*  to  the  light  of  a  noonday  sun.  "Believe  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  and  thou  shalt  be  saved." 

IV.  There  is  another  mistake  which  naturally  fastens  on 
the  mind  of  one  in  the  state  which  we  have  described,  more 
common,  but  not  less  fatal  than  the  preceding. 

The  individual  is  perhaps  sensible  that  Christ  is  an  all- 
sufncient  Saviour  :  but  the  query  arises,  "what  must  I  do 
that  I  may  become  interested  in  Him,  that  I  may  have  all 
the  benefits  of  his  redemption  ?  "  The  idea  connected  with 
this  enquiry  usually  is,  that  in  some  measure,  in  some  way  or 
other,  we  must  qualify  ourselves  before  we  may  venture  to 
come  to  Christ  for  salvation  ;  and  the  baneful  idea  derives 
strength  from  its  apparent  propriety  ;  and  from  passages  of 
Scripture  which  enjoin  various  moral  duties,  as  essential  to 
the  Christian  character,  and  necessary  to,  or  forming  parts 
of  the  plan  salvation. 

First.  The  convinced  sinner  thinks  it  necessary  that  he 
should  prepare  himself  by  a  sufficient  measure  of  repentance, 
before  he  can  venture  to  approach  the  Saviour,  because  it 
is  written,  "Repent  ye  and  believe  the  Gospel."  He  con- 
ceives that  certain  depths  of  sorrow,  certain  despairing 
thoughts,  certain  horrors  of  conscience,  must  be  felt,  and  a 
certain  amount  of  tears  must  be  shed,  and  then  that  his  re- 
pentance will  prove  acceptable  and  available.  And  we 
dare  not  say  that  these  must  not  be  known  and  felt :  yea, 
repentance  is  an  essential  ingredient  of  true  godliness;  for, 
"God  commands  all  men,  every  where,  to  repent."  But, 
we  say,  that  we  are  to  place  no  confidence  in  repentance. 
Judas  and  Esau  were  in  an  agony,  and  yet  "it  had  been 
good  for  them  never  to  have  been  born."  There  is  no  effi- 
cacy in  penitential  tears  to  take  away  sin.  We  may  shed 
rivers  of  tears  and  not  wash  away  one  stain. 


170  REMAINS   OF    THE    REV.   WM.   JACKSON. 

We  may  not  give  any  priority  to  repentance  before  faith. 
Were  we  compelled  to  place  one  grace  before  the  other,  it 
would  be  faith  ;  for  what  is  repentance  but  a  turning  from 
sin  and  Satan  to  God  ?  and  what  way  is  there  of  turning 
to  God,  but  by  "  believing  that  He  is,  and  that  He  is  a  re- 
warder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  Him."  But,  we  would 
rather  put  them  together  as  cause  and  effect.  The  soul 
never  so  completely  loathes  sin,  and  itself  on  account  of  sin, 
as  when  it  is  led  by  the  hand  of  faith  to  the  cross  of  Christ. 
Genuine  tears  of  repentance  flow  only  from  the  eye  of  faith, 
looking  upon  a  crucified  Saviour.  "  They  shall  look  upon 
Him  whom  they  have  pierced  and  mourn."  The  soul  never 
so  ardently  hates  sin,  as  when  it  has  some  confidence  in  the 
mercy  of  God.  The  mere  workings  of  the  law,  and  the 
terrors  of  hell  flashing  upon  the  conscience,  may  alarm  the 
soul,  and  generate  the  repentance  of  the  traitor,  but  it  is  a 
look  from  Jesus,  seen  by  the  eye  of  faith,  that  breaks  the 
heart. 

The  "righteousness  which  is  of  faith"  says,  if  thou  feel- 
est  thy  sins  to  be  thy  curse,  wait  not  until  thou  hast  de- 
scended to  the  lowest  depths  of  sorrow,  but  look  at  once 
unto  Jesus.  Let  faith  look  upon  him,  and  draw  virtue  from 
his  broken  flesh  and  bleeding  veins,  then, 

"  Will  humble,  penitential  woe, 
With  painful,  pleasing  anguish  flow  ; 
And  his  forgiving  love  impart, 
Life,  hope  and  joy  to  every  heart." 

Second.  The  convinced  sinner  thinks  it  necessary  that 
he  should  submit  himself  to  Christ  as  a  Lord  and  Lawgiver, 
before  he  can  receive  him  as  a  Saviour  ;  because  it  is  writ- 
ten, "  Those  mine  enemies,  which  would  not  that  I  should 
reign  over  them,  bring  hither,  and  slay  them  before  me." 
Most  true  it  is  that  none  can  be  saved  but  such  as  sub- 


SERMONS.  171 

mit  to  his  authority  :  but,  there  is  no  returning  to  our  allegi- 
ance, there  is  no  submission  to  his  will  and  government,  ex- 
cept in  the  obedience  of  faith.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is 
revealed  as  a  Saviour,  as  well  as  a  King,  and  we  never  can 
be  willing  servants,  or  obedient  subjects,  until  we  submit  to 
be  saved  by  grace.  We  never  can  be  brought  under  the 
rod  of  his  government,  until  we  have,  by  faith,  touched  the 
sceptre  of  his  mercy.  "Being  made  free  from  sin,  we  be- 
came servants  to  God."  "  Truly,"  says  David,  "  I  am  thy 
servant,  for  thou  hast  loosed  my  bonds."  The  "  righteous- 
ness which  is  of  faith"  says,  "  say  not  in  thy  heart,  I  will 
first  keep  His  laws,  and  then  sue  for  His  grace  ;  it  will  be 
as  hard  a  task  as  if  thou  shouldest  undertake  "to  bring  up 
Christ  again  from  the  dead  ;"  but  first,  believe  in  thy  heart, 
and  that  will  subdue  thy  enmity,  and  make  "  his  yoke  easy 
and  his  burden  light." 

Third.  Because  we  are  required  to  forgive  men  their 
trespasses,  and  to  make  restitution  for  every  wrong  done  to 
them,  therefore  the  convinced  sinner  is  led  to  imagine  that 
these  acts  must  be  performed,  before  he  can  venture  to  trust 
in  Christ.  True,  these  things  must  be  done,  or  we  must  be 
willing  and  desirous  to  do  them,  or  we  cannot  pray  accept- 
ably, nor  use  the  means  of  grace  profitably.  But  they  must 
be  done  from  right  motives  or  principles  :  not  from  dread 
of  punishment — so  Pharaoh  let  the  people  of  Israel  go,  and 
perished  at  last :  not  from  remorse  of  conscience — so  Judas 
restored  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver,  and  afterwards  went  and 
hanged  himself :  not  for  our  justification,  or  to  afford  us  a 
pleafor  forgiveness  before  God — so  the  Pharisee  boasted  that 
he  was  not  an  extortioner,  nor  unjust,  but  he  was  not  justi- 
fied in  the  sight  of  God. 

They  must  emanate  from  love  and  faith.  An  apprehen- 
sion of  the  mercy  of  God  through  Christ  by  faith,  generates 
in  us  the  same  mind  that  was  in  Christ.     Forgiveness  and 


172  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKSON. 

restitution  are  rather  proofs  or  pledges  that  we  are  forgiven, 
than  reasons  why  we  should  be  so  ;  they  follow  after,  rather 
than  precede  our  pardon  ;  when  "  God  for  Christ's  sake  hath 
forgiven  us,"  then  are  we  "  kind  one  to  another,  tender- 
hearted, forgiving  one  another." 

Fourth.  These  legal  principles,  leaving  the  plea  of  merit, 
finally  transform  themselves  into  pretended  jealousy  for  the 
honor  of  God,  and  teach  the  soul  to  reason  thus  :  "  Surely, 
to  approach  God  in  my  defiled  garments,  without  any  de- 
cent preparation,  is  to  put  a  gross  indignity  upon  Him  ;  and 
does  not  our  Lord,  in  the  parable  of  the  marriage  supper, 
check  such  an  unsanctified  approach.  All  were  welcome  but 
he  who  had  not  on  a  wedding  garment,  and  shall  I  approach 
God  in  my  native  deformity  and  uncleanness  ?  I  will  get 
more  purity  of  heart  and  life  ;  I  will  put  myself  in  a  proper 
state  to  receive  God's  gifts,  and  then  I  will  go  with  boldness 
to  supplicate  His  grace  and  mercy."  But,  what  says  the 
King  ?  "  All  things  are  ready  :"  not  only  the  feast,  but  the 
garments.  And  who  were  brought  to  the  feast  ?  Not  those 
who  were  rich  and  splendidly  arrayed,  but  the  halt  and  the 
maimed  and  the  blind.  And  who  were  rejected  ?  Not  those 
who  were  destitute  of  suitable  raiment,  but  those  who  were 
too  negligent,  or  too  proud  to  take  the  garment  of  the  King's 
providing.  And  what  says  the  "righteousness  of  faith  ?" 
"  All  things  are  ready."  Whatever  is  necessary  for  justifi- 
cation, for  sanctification,  for  complete  salvation,  is  freely, 
abundantly  provided.  Come  ye  wretched,  and  miserable, 
and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked  ;  ye  who  have  nothing  to  re- 
commend you  to  the  favor  of  God  but  your  penury,  and  want, 
and  unworthiness ;  wait  not  till  you  are  better,  or  you  will 
never  come  at  all.  Come  in  all  your  nakedness,  and  defor- 
mity,  and  guilt,  and  3^ou  shall  never  want  a  robe  of  right- 
eousness. Come,  as  the  prodigal  did,  and,  like  him,  you 
shall  be  clothed  with  the  "  best  robe  ;"  a  garment  that  will 


SERMONS.  173 

hide  all  your  shame,  and  make  you  lovely  and  comely  in  the 
eyes  of  the  King,  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 

Is  there  then  no  qualification  necessary,  before  a  sinner 
may  come  to  Christ,  and  look  upon  him  and  be  saved  ?  No  I 
none,  except  such  as  the  Samaritan  harlot,  Zaccheus  the  ex- 
tortioner, and  Saul  the  persecutor,  might  boast.  They 
were  str-icken  with  a  sense  of  guilt,  they  were  directed 
to  the  Saviour,  they  received  him  by  faith,  and  imme- 
diately "they  were  washed,  they  were  sanctified,  they 
were  justified  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  by  the 
Spirit  of  our  God."  The  simple  truth  is,  you  must  tarry  for 
nothing  :  Christ  will  supply  all  your  lack  :  no  other  fitness 
He  requires  but  to  feel  your  need  of  him." 

All  these  particulars  which  we  have  been  considering,  and 
which  you  regard  as  preparing  you  for  grace  and  mercy,  are 
rather  the  immediate  attendants  on  faith,  or  follow  after 
justification. 

Has  man  then  no  part  to  act  in  the  great  matter  of  salva- 
tion? None  by  way  of  deserving  or  procuring — that  Christ 
has  done — but  he  has  by  way  of  receiving.  Whilst  the 
righteousness  which  is  of  faith,  triumphs  over  all  obstacles, 
and  forbids  us  to  dishonor  the  Saviour's  grace,  by  bringing 
a  price  in  our  hands ;  it  demands  and  urges,  and  patheti- 
cally exhorts  us,  to  accept  the  blessings  fully  purchased,  and 
freely  bestowed.  Man's  part  is  to  receive.  Simple,  humble 
affiance  is  all  that  the  gospel  requires  ;  and  will  you  not  re- 
ceive the  testimony  of  God's  word  ?  Will  you  discredit  that 
which  he  has  confirmed  by  an  oath  ?  Can  you  do  such  vio- 
lence to  your  souls,  as  to  refuse  salvation  so  free,  so  com- 
plete ?  Behold !  here  is  an  open  door,  wide  enough  to  re- 
ceive all  who  enter  by  faith. 

Enter  then,  ye  who  are  weary  and  heavy  laden  with  the 
burden  of  sin.     Enter,  ye  who  have  nothing  but  sin  and  mis- 


174  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

ery  to  commend  you  to  his  notice.  Enter,  ye  who  have  been 
long  "  laboring  in  vain  and  spending  your  strength  for 
nought,"  and  "  ye  shall  find  rest  for  your  souls." 

Are  you  afraid  to  venture  ?  Wherefore  do  ye  doubt,  oh 
ye  of  little  faith  ?  Has  not  God  said  that  whosoever  believ- 
eth  shall  be  saved  ?  Nor  has  He  left  us  bare  words  ;  He 
has  given  us  instances  of  His  grace.  The  man  who  pen- 
ned our  text,  stands  forth  as  a  monument  to  the  Church  of 
God  in  every  age,  to  attest  the  infallibility  of  the  word,  and 
the  efficacy  of  the  Righteousness  which  is  of  faith.  "  For 
this  cause  I  obtained  mercy,  that  in  me  first  Jesus  Christ 
might  shew  forth  all  long-suffering,  for  a  pattern  to  them 
which  should  hereafter  believe  on  him  to  life  everlasting."* 
If  then  Saul  of  Tarsus  found  mercy  upon  the  first  act  of  faith, 
need  you  despair  ? 

But  let  us  guard  the  doctrine  against  perversion. 
Though  there  is  no  preparation  for  the  exercise  of  faith,  un- 
less indeed  you  call  a  deep  sense  of  sin,  and  an  apprehen- 
sion of  wrath,  a  preparation,  yet  fruits  do  follow.  Ashe  will 
never  come  to  Christ,  who  waits  till  he  has  shed  a  suffi- 
ciency of  tears,  and  submitted  himself  to  God,  and  forgiven 
his  enemies,  and  made  restitution  to  those  whom  he  has  in- 
jured, and  provided  himself  with  personal  holiness  ;  so,  on 
the  other  hand,  that  man  has  never  been  to  Jesus,  or  ever 
believed  on  Him  to  the  saving  of  his  soul,  in  whom  these 
precious  fruits  are  not  to  be  found.  That  salvation  which 
is  appended  to  the  righteousness  of  faith,  implies  more  than 
deliverance  from  the  bitter  pains  of  eternal  death — that  is 
the  remote  result.  It  brings  a  present  salvation ;  it  is  at- 
tended with  immediate  consequences ;  and  they  are,  deliv- 
erance from  the  love  and  power  of  sin.  That  which  once 
appeared  lovely  and  fruit  to  be  desired,  is  now  hateful  as 
the  grapes  of  Sodom.     That  which  was  once  our  master,  is 

*  1  Tim.  i.  16. 


SEEMONS.  175 

now  beaten  down  under  our  feet.  Faith  in  Christ  dissolves 
the  charms  of  sin,  breaks  its  fascinating  hold,  and  makes  the 
sinner  free  indeed.  Faith  in  Christ  gives  vigor  and  energy 
to  the  powers  of  the  soul,  and  is  the  'root  and  spring  of  ev- 
ery holy  act ;  whilst  legality  is  pernicious  to  the  practice  of 
all  holiness  and  our  whole  salvation. 

My  brethren,  renounce  all  dependence  upon  your  fig- 
leaf  righteousness  j  it  will  leave  you  strangers  to  peace, 
easy  victims  to  temptation,  and  heirs  to  perdition  :  whilst 
the  righteousness  which  is  of  faith,  will  give  you  peace  with 
God,  prepare  a  way  for  your  escape  from  every  allurement, 
and  secure  a  place  at  God's  right  hand. 

May  you,  my  beloved  brethren,  by  faith  receive  that 
imputed  righteousness  which  is  "  clear  as  the  sun,"  that  in- 
herent righteousness  which  is  "  fair  as  the  moon,"  and  thus 
be  to  all  your  enemies,  "  terrible  as  an  army  with  ban- 
ners." 


SERMON  YI. 


11  As  an  eagle  stirreth  up  her  nest,  flutter eth  over  her  young, 
spreadeth  abroad  her  wings,  tdketh  them,  beareth  them  upon  her 
wings  ;  so  the  Lord  alone  did  lead  him,  there  was  no  strange 
God  with  him. — Deut.  xxxii.  11. 

The  king  of  birds,  combining  as  it  does,  more  admira- 
ble qualities  than  any  other  fowl,  forms  a  royal  similitude. 
It  has  strength  to  mount  above  all,  swiftness  to  outstrip  all, 
an  eye  that  penetrates  the  very  fountain  of  light,  affection 
that  draws  forth  its  blood  for  its  young,  and  a  sagacity, 
almost  human,  in  instructing  and  disciplining  them,  which 
is  specially  noted  in  our  text. 

The  allusion  is  to  the  Jews.  The  subject  illustrated,  is 
their  deliverance  out  of  Egypt  and  their  preservation  in  the 
wilderness;  "Ye  have  seen,"  says  He,  "what  I  did  to  the 
Egyptians,  and  how  I  bare  you  on  eagle's  wings,  and 
brought  you  unto  myself."  * 

But  there  is  another  nation  to  whom  this  language  is  as 
applicable.  There  is  a  spiritual  Israel  whom  He  has 
brought  from  the  house  of  their  bondage,  and  is  leading  on- 
ward and  upward  to  their  rest  in  the  munition  of  rocks  on 
the  everlasting  hills.     We  propose  to  show  how  God  ac- 

*  Ex.  xix.  4. 


SERMONS.  177 

complishes  this  gracious  work.  Without  doing  violence  to 
the  similitude,  we  notice  four  things  ;  admonition,  allurement, 
assistance  and  protection.  Thus  God  acts  for,  and  upon,  and 
with  his  people,  when  He  brings  them  from  nature  to  grace, 
and  from  grace  to  glory. 

I.  God  uses  divine  admonitions,  "As  the  eagle  stirreth 
up  her  nest."  When  the  eagle  thinks  it  time  for  her  young 
ones  to  leave  their  nest,  she  moves  it  with  great  gentleness 
and  affection ;  she  sees  them  sleeping  and  unwilling  to  re- 
linquish their  first  home  ;  she  makes  a  noise  and  strikes  her 
wings  against  the  surrounding  branches ;  then,  having 
awoke  them,  she  disturbs  them  still  further ;  and  finally, 
"stirreth  up,"  turns  the  nest  inside  out,  and  compels  them 
to  take  to  the  crags  of  the  rocks,  or  to  the  boughs  of  the  trees. 
This  is  one  step  towards  mounting  up. 

Thus  did  God  with  Israel.  They  were  comparatively 
at  ease  by  the  flesh  pots  of  Egypt ;  and  if  they  had  been 
allowed  to  remain  thus  at  ease,  they  would  have  continued 
as  dull  of  understanding,  as  when  Moses  smote  the  Egyp- 
tian, "  supposing  that  they  would  have  understood  how  that 
God,  by  his  hand,  would  deliver  them  ;  but  they  understood 
not."  * 

But  God  "stirred  up  their  nest"  by  moving  the  heart  of 
Pharaoh  against  them,  until  they  cried  for  deliverance.  So, 
God  finds  sinners  at  ease ;  they  prosper,  their  children  are 
about  them,  they  love  the  world  and  forget  God ;  but  God 
forgets  not  them.  They  forget  the  curse  that  is  written 
against  such  as  are  "at  ease  in  Zion,"  but  God  does  not ; 
He  has  purposes  of  love  towards  them.  They  are  uu wil- 
ling to  think  that  this  is  not  their  rest,  unwilling  to  rise  and 
stretch  their  wings  towards  a  higher  and  a  better  world.  God 
calls,  but    they  refuse    to   hear;    He    calls    again — "rise, 

*  Acts  vii.  25. 

12 


178  REMAINS   OP    THE    REV.   WM.   JACKSON. 

come  away" — they  nestle  but  the  closer;  He  stirs  them 
up :  sickness  invades  their  dwelling,  a  wife  is  taken 
away  with  a  stroke,  or  a  husband  dies  in  the  pride  and 
vigor  of  manhood,  or  a  darling  child  is  blighted  in  the  bud  ; 
it  is  yet  in  vain.  Not  willing  that  they  should  perish,  He 
comes  next  to  break  up  their  nest.  The  sails  of  commerce 
are  rent ;  business  is  blighted ;  schemes  are  frustrated  ; 
property  is  wasted  ;  the  stately  store,  where  thousands 
were  once  accumulated,  passes  into  the  hands  of  various 
creditors  ;  they  are  turned  out  of  house  and  home  ; 

11  Where  once  they  dwelt,  their  name  is  heard  no  more, 
Children,  not  theirs,  now  tread  the  nursery  floor." 

God  has  destroyed  their  nest;  He  admonishes  them  that 
♦'this  is  not  their  rest ;"  He  brings  them  out  of  their  com- 
forts, to  point  them  to  the  skies.  Afflictions,  if  any  thing, 
will  make  a  man  seek  after  God.  When  Manasseh,  who 
was  a  monster  in  wickedness,  "was  in  affliction,  he  besought 
the  Lord  his  God,  and  humbled  himself  greatly,"  &c.  * 

When  the  prodigal  son  began  to  be  in  want,  he  took  up 
the  pious  resolution  to  return  to  his  father's  house.  When 
God  called  Abraham,  He,  as  it  were,  turned  him  out  of  his 
nest, — "Get  thee  out  of  thy  country,"  &c, — then  he  became 
the  father  of  the  faithful.  When  Jacob  was  driven  from  the 
parental  roof,  he  held  such  intercourse  with  heaven  as  he 
never  did  before ;  and  when  danger  threatened  him,  and 
his  wives,  and  his  children,  he  obtained  the  blessing  and 
Jacob  became  Israel ;  the  supplanter  was  transformed  into 
a  princely  prevailer  with  God.  David  went  astray  until 
he  was  afflicted.  Few,  very  few,  in  their  prosperity  seek 
after  God  :  and  if  affliction  fail  to  draw  the  soul  from  sin 

2  Chron;  xxxiii.  12.  13.  15.  16. 


SERMONS.  179 

to  holiness,  and  from  the  world  to  Heaven,  God  says,  "  Let 
him  alone  " — it  is  his  last  message. 

If  the  young  eagles  will  not  step  from  their  shattered 
nest,  to  the  inviting  bough  or  crag,  they  must  fall  and  die. 
And  if  men  will  not,  when  the  world  is  knocked  from  under 
them,  place  themselves  in  an  attitude  to  look  for  another 
and  a  better,  God  says — "Let  them  alone,  they  are  joined 
to  their  idols,  let  their  idols  save  them." 

Brethren,  God  is  stirring  up  men's  nests — not  that  He 
delights  to  afflict,  but,  that  He  may  bless,  that  He  may  save. 
Oh,  hear !  oh,  obey  !  When  riches  take  wing  and  fly  away, 
"covet  earnestly  the  best  gifts" — "Seek  the  kingdom  of 
God  and  his  righteousness  " — Seek  the  wisdom  which  is 
from  above  "as  for  silver,  and  search  for  her  as  for  hidden 
treasures  ;  then  shalt  thou  understand  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
and  find  the  knowledge  of  God  "* — "Search  for  me  with  all 
your  heart  and  ye  shall  find  me."  Transfer  that  diligence 
and  skill  which  have  been  applied  to  "  vanity  and  vexation 
of  spirit,"  to  God  and  thy  soul,  and  thou  shalt  have  "  riches 
which  add  no  sorrow,  and  an  inheritance  incorruptible  :  " 
but  if  thou  wilt  not  hear  and  be  wise,  then,  "  Though  thou 
exalt  thyself  as  the  eagle,  and  though  thou  set  thy  nest 
among  the  stars,  thence  will  I  bring  thee  down,  saith  the 
Lord."  t 

II.  We  are  met  with  divine  allurements. 

The  eagle  "fluttereth  over  her  young;"  "hovers  over 
them,  and  excites  them  to  imitate  her  and  take  their  flight." 
(Cruden.)  Thus  the  Lord  moved  Israel  to  leave  Egypt ;  and 
thus,  speaking  by  His  prophet  Hosea  of  their  restoration 
from  Babylon,  and  especially  of  their  conversion  to  Christ, 
He  says — "I  will  allure  her,  and  bring  her  into  the  wilder- 
ness, and  speak  comfortably  unto  her."|     And  thus,  my 

*  Prov.  ii.  4,  5.  t  Obad.  4.  X  Hos.  ii.  14,  15. 


180  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

brethren,  He  allures  jrou,  by  discoveries  of  His  anxiety  for 
3*our  salvation;  of  His  more  than  parental  love;  and  by 
assurances  that  He  will  go  with  you  in  every  step  of  your 
heavenward  course,  to  succor  and  support  you.  He  declares 
His  unwillingness  that  any  should  perish.  How  tenderly  He 
calls  !  "Rise  up  my  love,  my  fair  one,  come  away."  How 
graciously  He  promises  !  "  Surely  I  will  be  with  thee."  He 
is  not  indeed  with  us  in  the  "pillar  and  the  cloud,"  but  He 
is,  in  the  person  of  His  Son  ;  He  took  our  nature  upon  him, 
that  we  might  rise  to  his  nature  ;  He  came  down  to  earth,  to 
allure  us  Lo  Heaven  :  He  could  not  be  an  example  of  Re- 
pentance, but  He  could  invite  us  to  it  by  His  most  gracious 
promises  ;  He  could  show  us  how  to  live  in  the  world ; 
and  yet  how  diverse  from  the  world.  He  showed  us 
that  to  do  the  will  of  the  Father,  is  more  truly  our  meat 
and  drink,  than  our  daily  bread  ;  and  in  His  death  and 
rising  again,  that  death  has  lost  its  terrors  and  the  grave 
its  gloom  ;  that  it  is  better  to  pass  through  the  dark  val- 
ley of  death  and  the  gate  of  the  grave  into  heaven,  than 
to  tarry  on  this  side  its  portals  and  remain  in  the  flesh,  the 
heir  of  sin  and  sorrow  and  all  the  ills  of  life. 

When  the  eagle  flutters  over  its  young,  it  shows  what 
can  be  done.  When  Christ  passed  though  things  temporal, 
unensnared  by  their  temptations,  unpolluted  by  their  con- 
taminations, He  showed  what  can  be  done.  He,  indeed, 
did  it  by  His  own  underived  power  ;  we,  by  His  "  strength 
made  perfect  in  our  weakness."  When  the  old  eagle  rises 
to  tbe  sun,  she,  in  effect,  tells  her  young  that  it  is  a  purer, 
better  clime  than  where  they  have  been  nestling ;  and  it  is 
said  that  the  eagle  never  dies  but  of  old  age,  because  of 
the  pure  region  in  which  it  soars. 

When  the  Lord  Jesus  rose  to  heaven,  He  taught  us 
that  there  is  a  brighter,  better  world,  and  that  they  who  in- 
habit it,  die  no  more. 


SERMONS.  181 

"  Rise  my  soul  and  stretch  thy  wings, 

Thy  better  portion  trace, 
Rise  from  transitory  things, 

Towards  heaven,  thy  destined  place — 

Sun,  and  moon,  and  stars  decay, 

Time  shall  soon  this  earth  remove, 
Rise  my  soul  and  haste  away 

To  seats  prepared  above." 

Is  there  not  enough  to  woo  you  from  sin  and  the  world  ? 
Are  not  the  motives  of  the  Gospel  sufficient  ?  Can  you 
find  one  of  the  great  cloud  of  witnesses  to  testify  that  he 
has  erred  in  spurning  the  world,  and  making  that  better 
land  his  portion  and  his  home  ?  Is  there  an  inhabitant  in 
those  realms  of  light,  who  would  return  to  these  shores  of 
darkness,  and  all  that  darkness  symbolizes  ?  Can  you  find 
a  better  portion — a  portion  better  suited  to  your  immortal 
nature  ?  Then  why  is  not  that  portion  for  you  ?  Why 
should  it  not  be  your  everlasting  home  ?  Rise,  sinner,  rise  ! 
"  Heaven  opens  on  the  eyes,  sounds  seraphic  burst  on  the 
ears,"  not  of  the  dying  Christian  only,  but  of  the  living 
Christian,  who  daily  mounts  on  the  wings  of  faith  and  love, 
towards  that  blest  place,  where  Jesus,  our  forerunner,  is  for 
us  entered. 

Leave  it  to  birds  of  meaner  wing,  to  hop  from  spray  to 
spray  in  this  wilderness ;  rather,  leave  earth  to  earth-born 
worms  ;  but  ye,  who  were  made  but  little  lower  than  the 
angels,  rise  into  the  atmosphere  of  angels,  and  eat  "angels' 
food,"  and  soon  shall  ye  be  crowned  with  honor  and  glory 
above  them. 

III.  We  have  for  our  comfort  and  encouragement,  the 
assurance  of  divine  assistance. 

"  When  the  eagle  sees  its  young,  weary  or  fearful,  it 
takes  them  upon  its  back,  and  carries  them."  (Cruden.) 
In  allusion  to  this,  it  is  said  of  Israel,  that  God  "  bare  them 


1S2  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

on  eagle's  wings,  and  brought  them  unto  himself;"  *  and 
in  our  text — "  As  the  eagle  spreadeth  abroad  her  wings, 
taketh  them,  beareth  them  on  her  wings."  Thus  the  Lord 
succors  those  who  would  fain  mount  upward  to  the  skies. 
A  very  little  experience  convinces  them  of  their  weakness ; 
they  essay  to  rise,  but  soon  fall ;  they  resolve,  but 
fail ;  they  re-resolve  and  fail  again.  But,  "  He  is  a  very 
present  help :  as  a  mother  a  fallen  child,  He  raises  them 
up  again;  as  a  shepherd,  He  gathers  them  in  His  arms  ; 
as  an  eagle,  He  bears  them  on  His  wings. 

You  are  weak  you  say :  true,  and  can  no  more  rise  to 
happiness  and  God,  than  an  unfledged  bird  can  mount  to 
the  skies  ;  but  what  says  the  Almighty  one  ?  "  Fear  not, 
for  I  am  with  thee  ;  be  not  dismayed,  for  I  am  thy  God  ;  I 
will  strengthen  thee  ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee  ;  yea,  I  will  up- 
hold thee  with  the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness."! 

What  more  can  He  say  ?  Why  He  says,  "  my  strength  is 
made  perfect  in  weakness."  And  what  more  ?  "  My 
grace  is  sufficient  for  thee."  O  !  make  but  trial  of  His 
strength,  experience  will  decide  how  all-sufficent  is  His 
might.  What  God  commands,  He  gives  the  power  to  per- 
form. If  a  man  with  a  withered  hand,  be  commanded  to 
stretch  it  forth  ;  if  a  dead  body  be  commanded  to  arise,  the 
promise  and  assurance  of  ability  accompanies  the  com- 
mand. And  if  He  command  you  to  seek  the  things  which 
are  above,  and  there  be  in  you  a  willing  mind,  it  will  be  as 
easy  as  for  the  eagle  to  dart  through  the  air.  But,  if  ye 
will  not,  then,  as  the  eagle  "  rejects  as  unnatural,"  its 
young  that  will  not  fix  their  eyes  upon  the  bright  orb  of  day 
and  rise,  so  God  will  reject  you,  and  swear  "  they  shall 
not  enter  into  my  rest." 

IV.  We  have  the  promise  of  divine  protection. 

When  the  eagle  bears  its  young  on  its  wings,  it  is  for 

*  Ex.  xix.  4.  t  Isa.  xli.  10. 


SERMONS.  183 

protection,  no  less  than  aid.  The  archer  must  first  pene- 
trate the  body  of  the  old  bird,  before  he  can  touch  the 
young.  Naturally  it  is  more  out  of  danger  than  other  birds, 
when  in  its  proper  element ;  security  is  doubled  when  on 
its  mother's  wings.  Every  one  knows  how  difficult  it  is  to 
kill  or  take  an  eagle.  If  he  leave  his  proper  sphere  ;  if  he 
come  down  to  earth,  and  linger  at  its  fountains,  or  lay  his 
head  on  its  turf;  then,  he  is  a  noble  mark,  and  an  easy 
prey.  Just  so  the  heaven-born  soul ;  if  he  be  in  his  proper 
place,  following  after  his  proper  object,  he  is,  by  his  very 
station  and  calling,  guarded  against  temptation  and  danger. 
Wicked  men  have  but  little  power  against  him ;  he  moves 
in  another  atmosphere.  Even  the  world,  with  its  pomps 
and  vanities  tempt  him  not  much  ;  he  is  above  it ;  and  its 
glittering  attractions  in  the  distance,  fade  on  the  sight,  as 
fields  and  flowers,  towers,  and  palaces,  and  gilded  domes, 
dwindle  to  a  point  in  the  eye  of  the  aeronaut,  sailing  through 
the  air  on  his  buoyant  car. 

And  even  if  Satan  should  shoot  at  him  his  fiery  dart,  it 
must  first  penetrate  Jehovah's  wings  before  it  can  touch 
him.  While  the  eye  and  wing  of  the  soul  are  upward,  the 
world,  and  men  of  the  world,  tempt  in  vain  ;  and  while  be- 
tween the  wings  of  the  Cherubim,  no  shaft  can  penetrate. 
"-  The  way  of  life  is  above  to  the  wise,  that  he  may  depart 
from  hell  beneath."*  But,  if  Christians  will  come  down 
to  earth,  if  they  will  lay  their  heads  on  Deliah's  lap,  if  they 
subject  themselves  to  the  reproof,  ''what  doest  thou  here?" 
why  then  they  become  like  other  men,  and  are  as  easily 
snared  and  taken  as  they.  But,  if  " their  way  is  above;" 
if  heaven  be  their  destination,  and  the  Most  High  be  taken 
for  their  strength  and  refuge  ;  hell  from  beneath  may  rage, 
but  it  cannot  prevail  against  them. 

*  Prov.  xv.  24. 


184  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Would  you  be  happy  ?  would  you  have  a  sure  portion? 
would  you  be  safe  ?  "  Set  your  affection  on  things  above, 
not  on  things  on  the  earth."  Bend  your  course  upward ; 
let  your  eye,  your  thoughts,  your  hearts  be  in  heaven. 

Man  was  made  erect — not  prone  like  the  worm,  to 
earth.  What  does  this  teach  him,  but,  while  he  walks  up- 
on the  earth,  to  look  above  it  ?  Wings  of  affection  were 
given  to  his  soul,  not  to  weigh  him  down  ;  not  to  dive 
with,  into  its  caverns  of  wealth,  or  to  skim  its  fields  of 
pleasure,  but  to  mount  upward.  They  who  are  wise,  who 
use  their  powers  aright,  "  mount  up  as  on  eagle's  wings." 

Again  we  say,  rise,  sinner,  rise  from  transitory  things. 
Will  you  not  ?  Are  you  saying,  in  the  foolishness  of  your 
heart,  "  I  shall  die  in  my  nest  ?"  So  said  Job,  when  "  his 
root  spread  out  by  the  waters,  and  his  glory  was  fresh  up- 
on him,  and  he  sat  chief,  and  dwelt  as  a  king  ;"  *  and  yet, 
how  soon  God  raised  a  storm  that  shook  down  his  nest. 
And  has  He  not  stirred  up  your  nest?  it  may  be  that  it  is 
already  in  ruins  ;  and  for  what  ?  but  to  teach  you  that  He 
has  provided  some  better  thing ;  a  "  mansion  in  the  skies," 
"  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens." 

Rise,  sinner,  rise !  and  if  you  will  turn  a  deaf  ear  to 
our  counsel,  remember,  "  every  man's  work  shall  be  tried 
with  fire  ;"  and  what  will  you  do  when  your  nest  is  in 
flames  ? 

"  If  the  righteous  scarcely  be  saved" — with  labor,  with 
difficulty — "where  shall  the  ungodly  and  sinner  appear  ?'* 
How  can  they  be  saved  who  labor  not  ?  Impossible  !  When 
their  earthly  tabernacle  is  dissolved,  they  fall,  to  rise  no 
more. 

Dear  hearer  !  hast  thou  obeyed  the  divine  admonitions, 

*  Job.  xxix.  18,  25. 


SERMONS.  185 

listened  to  the  divine  allurements,  and,  leaning  upon 
Omnipotence,  and  trusting  to  His  defence,  hast  thou  learn- 
ed to  mount  ?  Thou  hast  yet  another  flight  to  take  ;  that 
which  thou  hast  done  spiritually,  must  be  done  literally. 
Thou  art  not  always  to  be  on  the  wings  of  faith  and  hope, 
as  on  eagles'  wings ;  thou  hast  to  mount  on  angels'  wings. 
And  thy  nest  must  again  be  shaken ;  the  body  is  the  nest 
of  r.he  soul ;  and  it  must  be  destroyed,  ere  the  soul  will,  or 
can,  wing  its  way  to  the  worlds  of  light. 

We  see  then,  why  God  disturbs  with  the  ills  of  life, 
those  who  have  already  obeyed  His  call  to  look  upward. 
It  is  that  they  majr  obey  His  second  call,  and  take  a  se- 
cond flight.  He  sends  his  winds  and  rain  ;  He  makes  life 
uncomfortable  ;  He  takes  away  the  warm  down  of  earthly 
comforts — friends  and  property  perhaps  ;  then  He  begins 
to  pull  down  their  tabernacles,  that  they  may  be  willing 
and  glad  to  leave  these  nests  of  death,  to  dwell  in  mansions 
in  the  skies. 

He  allures  the  soul  to  brighter  worlds  by  brighter  views  ; 
and  because  a  dark  and  gloomy  region  lies  between  the 
world  and  heaven,  He  leaves  not  the  soul  of  His  turtle- 
dove to  traverse  it  alone.  "  I  'will  be  with  thee" — and  He 
takes  the  departing  spirit  on  His  own  Almighty  wings,  and 
bears  it  safely  awa}r,  to  bask  forever  under  the  bright  beams 
of  an  eternal  sun,  even  his  own  unclouded  glory. 

So  would  I  die — and  I,  and  I,  responds  every  heart. 
Have  I  gained  that  response?  then,  die  to  sin,  and  live  to 
righteousness  ;  die  to  the  world,  and  live  to  heaven  ;  die  to 
self,  and  live  to  God  :  and  so  shall  ye  die. 

Nay — ye  shall  never  die.  The  body  shall  die ;  the 
nest  of  the  soul  shall  be  taken  down  ;  but  the  soul  shall 
only  depart  from  earth  to  heaven,  from  sorrow  to  joy,  and 
as  it  departs,  sing 


186  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

"  I  mount,  I  fly — 
O,  grave !  where  is  thy  victory  ? 
O,  death !  where  is  thy  sting?" 

"  Thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the  victoty  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
So  may  we  die. 


SERMON  VII. 

"  Who  hath  despised  the  day  of  small  things  ?" — Zech.  iv.  10. 

The  words  of  our  text,  in  their  literal  sense,  refer  to  the  re- 
building of  the  temple  at  Jerusalem.  The  Jews  were  at 
that  time  captives  in  Babylon,  their  city  was  left  unto  them 
desolate,  their  temple  was  in  ruins,  and  their  land,  strangers 
inhabited.  But  the  days  of  their  desolations  were  accom- 
plished, and  the  decree  went  forth  from  the  Sovereign  of 
heaven  and  earth,  that  their  captivity  should  be  turned  as 
the  streams  of  the  south,  that  their  holy  city  should  be  re- 
stored, and  that  Jerusalem  should  again  "  puton  her  beautiful 
garments." 

Led  on  by  Zerubbabel,  Ezra,  and  Nehemiah,  the  remnant 
came  again  to  their  own  land,  and  set  forward  the  workmen 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord.  But  it  was  a  little  band,  and  the 
means  were  small.  They  had  not  King  Solomon's  exhaust- 
less  stores  of  gold  and  silver,  nor  his  thousands  of  cunning 
workmen ;  but  in  troublous  times,  in  a  time  of  weakness, 
poverty,  and  oppression,  the  work  began.  "  And  when  the 
builders  laid  the  foundation  of  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  many 
of  the  Priests  and  Levites  and  chief  of  the  fathers,  who  were 
ancient  men,  that  had  seen  the  first  house ;  when  the  found- 
ation of  this  house  was  laid  before  their  eyes,  wept  with  a 
loud  voice."*     They  thought  it  never  could  be  finished ;  and 

*  Ezra  iii.  10,  12. 


188  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

if  it  should,  it  would  be  no  way  worthy  to  be  called  the  tem- 
ple of  the  Lord.     "  They  despised  the  day  of  small  things." 

But  what  saith  the  Lord  !  do  mountainous  obstacles  ob- 
struct !  "  Who  art  thou,  O  great  mountain  ?  "  *  Are  the 
means  trifling  and  small  ?  "  The  hands  of  Zerubbabel  have 
laid  the  foundation  of  this  house,  his  hands  also  shall  finish 
it."t  Are  the  materials  despicable  and  mean  ?  "  The  glory 
of  this  latter  house  shall  be  greater  than  that 'of  the  former, 
saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts."$  "  Who  hath  despised  the  day  of 
small  things  ?"  Let  them  not  be  ashamed,  let  them  not  be 
fearful  but  believing ;  and  in  the  end  they  shall  exult  and 
rejoice. 

With  what  singular  propriety  this  circumstance  might  be 
applied  to  the  Church  of  God  in  its  various  depressions  and 
revivals,  must  be  obvious.  We  could  show  you  the  Church 
in  ruins,  in  the  last  days  of  the  Jewish  economy  ;  we  could 
recapitulate  the  decree  of  heaven  for  her  release  and  restor- 
ation ;  we  could  point  you  to  our  Zerubbabel,  with  twelve 
servants  repairing  her  trenches  and  renewing  her  waste 
places;  we  could  show  how  the  work  prospered  in  their 
hands,  and  in  the  hands  of  their  successors  ;  we  could  lead 
you  up  the  Pisgah  of  prophecy,  and  there  open  before  your 
astonished  vision,  a  scene  almost  too  dazzling  bright  for  the 
eye  of  the  strongest  faith.  The  world  a  mighty  temple ; 
Heaven  the  most  holy  place;  Jesus  the  great  High  Priest ; 
and  every  human  being  a  Priest  or  a  Levite,  sacrificing  to, 
and  praising  and  magnifying  the  God  of  the  universe. 

But  we  have  marked  out  for  ourselves  another  course. 
Our  text  is  as  strictly  applicable  to  every  child  of  God  in  his 
individual  capacity,  as  to  the  temple  at  Jerusalem,  or  to 
the  Universal  Church.     Believers  are  the  temple  of  God. 

*  Zech.  iv.  7.  t  Zech.  iv.  9.  t  Haggai  ii.  9. 


SERMONS.  189 

"  Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the  temple  of  God,  and  that  the 
Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you  ?"*  By  nature  they  are  a 
temple  in  ruins,  and  grace  itself  will  never  make  them  in  this 
world,  what  Adam  the  first  temple  was.  At  best  we  have 
hut  the  tables  of  a  broken  law  ;  every  column  of  sacred  in- 
cense is  polluted  with  some  noxious  vapor ;  and  this  earth- 
ly house  is  the  den  of  many  unclean  thoughts.  At  best  it  is 
with  us  a  "  day  of  small  things."  How  small  then  must  the 
beginning  be  !  and  yet  however  small,  it  is  not  to  be  lightly 
esteemed. 

It  is  true  both  in  nature  and  in  grace,  that  small  begin- 
nings often  have  large  endings.  Trace  yon  noble  river  to 
its  source,  you  will  find  its  head  in  some  lonely  dell,  in  a 
spring  so  small  that  one  might  almost  cover  it  with  the  sole  of 
his  foot.  And  in  the  work  of  grace  "  though  the  beginning 
be  small,  yet  the  latter  end  shall  greatly  increase."!  Yet  so 
weak  and  imbecile  is  the  mind  of  man,  that  he  is  ever  prone 
to  despise  small  things,  especially  where  he  ought  to  anti- 
cipate thegreatest  results — I  mean  where  the  work  is  wholly 
the  Lord's — the  work  of  grace  in  the  heart.  To  this  point  I 
intend  to  direct  my  remarks  ;  namely,  to  encourage  the 
subject  of  divine  grace,  though  it  be  with  them  a  day  of 
small  things. 

Our  object  is  not  to  show  by  how  small  a  measure  of  grace 
you  may  just  escape  the  miseries  of  hell;  but  to  show  that 
the  least  measure  of  true  grace  is  effectual  to  salvation.  We 
design  not  to  satisfy  the  carnal,  but  to  comfort  the  feeble. 
With  those  who  pervert  the  Scriptures,  and  wrest  them  to 
their  own  destruction,  we  profess  to  have  nothing  to  do. 
Our  business  is  with  those  who  have  a  little  strength,  and 
yet  cannot  give  the  grace  of  God  credit  for  what  it  has  done 

*  1  Cor.  Hi.  16.  t  Job  viii.  7. 


190  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

for  them.  Nor  is  it  our  object  to  show  wherein,  or  in  what 
attainments  of  grace  a  child  of  God  may  rest.  We  would 
stimulate  you,  my  Christian  brethren,  from  past  experience, 
to  "  press  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling 
of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,"*  and  to  "  give  diligence  to  make 
your  calling  and  election  sure,"t  an  assurance  which  never 
can  be  attained  by  him  that  doubteth  ;  but  to  him  that  be- 
lie veth,  though  his  faith  be  but  as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed, 
all  things  are  possible. 

In  some  sense,  the  present  state  is,  with  all  believers,  a 
"  day  of  small  things  ;"  for  the  highest  attainments  in  grace 
are  not  to  be  compared  with  the  least  degree  of  glory.  To 
young  Christians,  however,  those  who  have  not  grown  much 
in  grace,  the  phrase  and  subject  will  more  particularly  apply. 
Grace  is  not  a  plant  that  springs  up  to  perfection  in  a  single 
night,  like  Jonah's  gourd  ;  but  like  those  things  which  are 
more  excellent  in  their  nature,  it  comes  gradually  to  maturity. 

First,  the  seed  is  cast  into  the  heart  by  the  divine  hus- 
bandman ;  this  no  man  knoweth  save  he  who  implanted  it ; 
presently,  through  the  influence  of  the  sun  of  righteousness 
and  the  dew  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  tender  blade  appears  ; 
it  grows  up,  we  know  not  how,  until  the  grain  is  formed, 
and  amidst  conflicting  elements,  which  seem  to  threaten  it 
with  blasting  and  destruction,  it  gradually  ripens  for  the 
harvest,  and  then  is  gathered  into  the  heavenly  garner. 

But  to  adhere  more  strictly  to  the  figure  in  the  text. 
The  work  of  grace  in  the  heart,  is  like  the  building  of  a 
magnificent  temple  for  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 

First  the  corner-stone  is  laid,  then  the  superstructure  is 
reared,  then  "the  top-stone  is  brought  off  with  shoutings  of 
grace,  grace  unto  it."     By  the  foundation,  I  understand,  the 

*  Phil.  iii.  14.  t2  Peter  i.  10. 


SERMONS.  191 

beginning  of  the  work  of  grace,  or  "  the  day  of  small  things  ;' 
and  that  is  when  the  sinner  is  made  sensible  of  his  sin  and 
misery,  but  sees  not  how  he  can  escape  from  them  ;  when 
he  desires  an  interest  in  Christ,  but  fears  to  claim  it ;  when 
he  loves  and  longs  after  the  ordinances,  but  dares  not  use 
them  ;  or  cannot  draw  that  comfort  and  advantage  from 
them,  which  he  desires,  and  feels  he  needs  ;  when  he  es- 
teems it  not  merely  his  duty  but  his  privilege  to  pray,  yet 
cannot  utter  one  word  before  God,  or,  if  he  does,  it  is  with 
trembling  and  with  fear.  In  short,  it  is  "the  day  of  small 
things,"  when  the  experience  of  the  soul  is  made  up  of  de- 
sires and  disappointments,  of  efforts  and  failures,  of  remorse 
and  sin  ;  "when  to  will  is  present  with  him ;  but  how  to 
perform  that  which  is  good,  he  finds  not."*  Yes,  this  is 
the  period  in  our  spiritual  life,  which  we  and  our  enemies 
are  liable  to  despise.  We  shed  over  it  the  bitter  tears  of 
grief,  they  mock  and  deride  at  our  state ;  we  think  it  will 
come  to  naught ;  they  sarcastically  and  disdainfully  say, 
"  what  do  these  feeble  Jews  ?  will  they  fortify  themselves  ; 
will  they  sacrifice  ?  will  they  make  an  end  in  a  day  ?  will 
they  revive  the  stones  out  of  the  heaps  of  the  rubbish  which 
are  burned  ?  even  that  which  they  build,  if  a  fox  go  up,  he 
shall  even  break  down  their  stone  wall."  t 

Thus  they  speak  contemptuously  of  the  righteous  whom 
the  Lord  loveth.  But  it  is  a  state  of  things  that  ought  not 
thus  to  be  regarded  either  by  them  or  by  us.  They  shall 
know  "It  is  the  Lord's  doings,  and  it  shall  be  marvellous 
in  our  eyes." 

It  is  like  the  day  when  light  first  'broke  upon  chaos. 
True,  it  disclosed  nothing  but  discord,  disorder  and  con- 
fusion, yet  it  was  really  and  truly  a  day — the  beginning 
of  all  other  days,  the  precursor  of  that  which  saw  the  raon- 

•  Rom.  ix.  18.  t  Neh.  iv.  2,  3. 


192  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

arch  of  the  starry  host  commence  his  race,  like   a  giant, 
through  the  skies. 

It  is  a  state  of  things  which  ought  not  to  be  despised, 
because  God  our  Father  does  not  despise  it.  It  is  his  own 
work — the  first  beams  of  grace  in  the  soul,  created  by  Him 
who  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness — and 
He  pronounces  it  "  very  good." 

The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  does  not  despise  it.  "  The 
bruised  reed  He  will  not  break,  and  the  smoking  flax  He 
will  not  quench."  The  Holy  Spirit  does  not  despise  it. 
The  groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered,  are  generated  by 
His  influence,  and  He  approves,  and  will  answer  the  ener- 
getic cry.  The  great  Triune  God  delights  in  His  children 
in  their  lowest  state.  "  They  that  feared  the  Lord  spake 
often  one  to  another  :  and  the  Lord  hearkened  and  heard 
it,"  says  Malachi.  He  heard  them  speaking  of  His  grace, 
and  the  great  things  he  had  done  for  them,  and  He  com- 
mands the  recording  angel  to  write  it  down  in  the  book  of 
remembrance  ;  and  it  shall  be  proclaimed  to  their  honor, 
that  they  delighted  in  the  Lord  their  God.  "  And  I  will 
spare  them,"  says  He,  "  as  a  man  spareth  his  own  son  that 
serveth  him."  * 

But  those  poor  souls  who  are  too  timid  to  speak  of  the 
grace  of  God  in  them,  who  only  think  upon  His  perfections, 
providence  and  grace,  what  notice  is  taken  of  them  ?  Put 
them  down  too.  It  is  a  "  day  of  small  things"  with  them  ; 
but  I  have  searched  their  hearts,  and  have  known  their 
thoughts,  and  they  are  right  in  my  sight,  and  they  shall  be 
mine  in  the  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels." 

May  we  despise  that  which  is  so  highly  esteemed  of 
God  ?     O  no !  ye  of  little   faith,   despise  it  not :    it  is  the 

*Mal.  iii.  16,17. 


SERMONS.  193 

pearl  of  great  price.  Despise  it  not ;  it  is  an  immortal 
germ  pregnant  with  all  the  beauty  and  richness  of  a  future 
harvest.  Depise  it  not ;  it  is  the  foundation  of  that  spirit- 
ual edifice  which  will  in  the  end  be  more  glorious  than 
man  in  his  pristine  perfection.  Despise  it  not ;  your  con- 
dition has  been  the  condition  of  every  saint. 

"  The  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light,  that  shin- 
eth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day."  *  Grace  opens 
upon  the  soul  by  degrees  ;  first  a  pale  gleam  breaks  in  up- 
on the  mind ;  a  moment  more,  and  those  objects  that  were 
scarcely  perceptible,  appear  in  their  distinct  forms  ;  a  little 
longer,  and  the  broad  blaze  of  the  noontide  sun  dispels  ev- 
ery vestige  of  darkness  from  the  mind . 

There  are  in  Christ  little  children,  as  well  as  young  men 
and  fathers.  The  greatest  giant  of  a  saint  that  ever  fought 
under  the  banner  of  the  cross,  was  once  a  babe,  a  lamb  borne 
in  the  shepherd's  arms. 

Take,  my  brethren,  the  Patriarchs,  Prophets,  and  Apos- 
tles— those  Samsons  in  grace ;  with  every  one  you  find  a 
"  day  of  small  things  ;"  yea,  in  that  very  virtue  in  which  they 
were  pre-eminent.  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful,  dis- 
trusts God's  promise  and  is  afraid  of  his  life  in  Pharaoh's 
court.  Moses,  the  meekest  of  men,  is  angry  with  the  people 
and  smites  the  rock  twice.  David,  the  "  man  after  God's 
own  heart,"  puts  away  his  fear  from  before  his  face.  The 
disciples,  with  one  consent  cry,  "  Master,  carest  thou  not  that 
we  perish?"*  It  was  a  "  day  of  small  things"  with  them, 
but  finally  grace  triumphed  and  brought  them  off"  more  than 
conquerors."  They  were  then  the  children  of  God,  when 
they  were  like  the  dove,  trembling  and  defenceless ;  and  like 
the  vine,  unable  to  send  their  boughs  aloft ;  and  like  the  lamb, 
silly  and  wandering.     But  in  the  end  you  see  them  "  mount 


*  Mark  iv.  38. 
13 


1  94  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

up  with  wings  as  eagles,"  and  shooting  forth  their  branches 
like  Lebanon,  and  putting  on  the  strength  and  courage  of 
the  lion. 

Therefore,  my  brethren,  until  }rou  find  in  the  kingdom  of 
nature,  infancy  with  the  strength  and  vigor  of  manhood; 
and  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  grace  perfect  and  without  any 
alloy,  despond  not.  We  may  mourn  that  our  grace  is  not 
stronger,  but  we  ought  to  rejoice  that  we  have  any  at  all. 

But  lastly,  "  despise  not  the  day  of  small  things,"  for 
all  the  blessings  which  thou  desirest  are  promised  to  the 
least  measure  of  true  grace.  God  requires  true  grace,  not  any 
specific  measure.  All  have  not  faith  equally  strong;  all 
are  not  Abraham's  or  David's  or  Paul's — it  would  be  a 
blessing  if  they  were  ;  but  all  the  children  of  God  have 
faith  equally  precious,  and  their  names  are  as  certainly 
registered  in  heaven.  How  glimmering  was  the  faith  of 
the  disciples,  when  Christ  told  them  to  "  rejoice  because 
their  names  were  written  in  heaven  !  " 

"  The  weakest  believer,"  says  one,  "  if  his  faith  puri- 
fies his  heart  and  works  by  love,  is  as  nearly  related  to 
God  as  the  strongest ;  just  as  the  weakest  and  most  helpless 
child  in  the  family,  is  as  much  the  father's  child  as  the 
strongest  and  stoutest." 

The  weakest  grace  gives  a  deadly  wound  to  sin,  and 
as  certain,  though  not  so  highly  comfortable,  an  assurance 
of  an  entrance  among  the  saints  in  light,  as  a  stronger 
grace.  Seek  not  then  your  torment,  where  you  should  find 
your  comfort. 

If  any  inquire,  what  is  the  lowest  standard  of  grace  in 
the  heart  ?  I  should  answer,  desire — a  desire  for  the  bles- 
sings of  the  Gospel  and  the  favor  of  God ;  and  we  scruple 
not  to  say,  that  those  blessings,  and  that  favor,  belong  to  a 
measure  of  grace  as  small  as  a  desire.       For  as  a  single 


SERMONS.  L95 

spark  is  fire,  as  well  as  the  whole  element,  so  is  a  true  de- 
sire grace,  as  well  as  the  full  assurance  of  faith  and 
hope. 

We  are  aware  that  many  will  say  that  they  have  a  de- 
sire for  grace,  who  never  sent  a  single  devout  aspiration  to 
heaven  for  the  blessed  boon.  Such  desire  is  like  the  bril- 
liancy of  the  glow-worm  ;  it  shines  only  in  the  dark  night 
of  adversity ;  in  prosperity,  it  is  all  merged  in  the  splendor 
and  delight  of  earthly  bliss. 

Genuine  desire  is  enkindled  in  the  soul,  by  a  live  coal 
from  the  altar  of  God  ;  and  though  it  may  not  always  blaze, 
it  ever  glows,  though  at  times  it  be  but  with  the  vigor  and 
warmth  of  smoking  flax.  This  is  its  character — a  desire 
for  holiness,  a  desire  for  mercy,  a  desire,  which  would 
rather  hear  of  mercy  and  holiness,  than  of  the  possession  of 
a  kingdom.  It  is  the  desire  of  a  broken  and  contrite 
heart.  This  is  the  least  measure  of  grace  that  is  intelligible 
to  man  ;  and  to  this  measure  all  possible  blessings  belong. 

The  blessings  promised  to  the  penitent,  begin  with  the 
beginning  of  conversion.  Thus  David  resolved  upon  an 
ingenuous  confession  of  his  sin,  and  immediately  God  gave 
him  the  comfort  of  pardon  in  his  conscience  ;  "  I  said  I  will 
confess  my  transgression  ;"  he  did  but  say  that  he  would 
do  it,  and  mark  the  consequences  :  "Thou  forgavest," — im- 
mediately— "  forgavest  the  iniquity  of  my  sin."  Thus  in  the 
character  of  the  father  of  the  prodigal,  God  represents  him- 
self as  not  waiting  till  the  sinner  throws  himself  upon  his 
bosom,  but  while  he  is  yet  a  great  way  off,  He  runs  to  meet 
him,  and  falls  upon  his  neck,  and  with  a  father's  embrace 
seals  a  father's  love.  Thus  the  promise  runs;  "Before 
they  call,  I  will  answer ;  and  while  they  are  yet  speaking, 
I  will  hear."  * 

*  Isaiah  lxv.  24. 


196  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

The  blessings  of  pardon,  peace  and  reconciliation,  are 
indeed  connected  with  repentance  and  faith  ;  but  if  we  on- 
ly desire  repentance  and  faith,  we  are  not  altogether  with- 
out them. 

Desire  is  the  pulse  of  the  soul ;  and  however  low, 
however  agitated,  however  feebly  it  may  beat,  it  proves 
that  life  is  there.  The  desire  of  grace,  is  a  pledge  from 
God  that  He  will  give  it.  The  desire  of  the  Spirit,  cannot 
be  but  from  the  Spirit ;  and  we  know  that  "  He  will  perfect 
that  which  He  has  begun."  He  will  satisfy  the  hungering 
and  thirsting  after  righteousness,  which  He  has  himself 
created. 

Wherefore,  my  brethren  of  little  faith,  "  despise  not  the 
day  of  small  things."  Let  the  grace  of  God  have  full  credit 
for  that  which  it  has  done  in  you  and  for  you. 

We  know  that  many  may  turn  our  subject  to  their  own 
hurt,  crying,  "  peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace."  * 
But  encouragement  is  not  to  be  withheld  from  the  lambs  of 
Christ's  flock,  because  the  bold  and  presumptuous  sinner,  or 
the  specious  hypocrite,  abuses  the  grace  of  God. 

To  guard  however  against  so  fatal  a  mistake,  we  shall 
add  a  word  of  caution,  by  pointing  out  briefly  what  we 
consider  to  be  the  prominent  features  of  true  grace,  even  in 
its  lowest  degree ;  for  we  would  not  for  the  world,  that 
they  should  have  one  spark  of  comfort,  for  whom  it  was 
never  designed. 

We  remark  then,  that  where  there  is  the  least  work  of 
the  Spirit,  the  foundation  is  always  laid  in  deep  humility  and 
contrition.  The  man  is  made  sensible  of  his  sin  and  mis- 
ery ;  he  sees  that  there  is  no  help  in  himself;  with  restless 
desire  he  longs  for  another  to  bring  him  succor ;  he  looks 

•Jeremiah  vi.  14. 


SERMONS.  197 

at  Christ  and  his  salvation,  and  he  esteems  them  above  all 
earthly  things,  although  he  dares  not  apply  them  to 
himself.  All  he  is  able,  all  he  dares  to  do,  is  to  long  for  the 
joys  of  his  salvation.  But  then,  it  is  the  intense,  the  long- 
ing desire  of  a  drowning  man  for  life,  the  famishing  man 
for  food ;  and  he  watches  for  them,  more  than  they  that 
watch  for  the  morning.     This  is  the  desire  that  is  grace. 

My  hearer  !  does  thy  heart  respond,  "  that  is  my  case  ?" 
Art  thou  humbled  with  shame  and  confusion  of  face?  Are 
thy  sins  and  thy  sinful  nature  thy  greatest  grief?  Is  the 
bent  of  thy  soul  toward  God,  and  holiness,  and  heaven? 
Dost  thou  desire  them  so  as  to  seek  after  them  ?  Then  take 
all  the  comfort  our  subject  is  calculated  to  afford.  Remem- 
ber always,  that  "  the  day  of  small  things,"  is  the  day  of 
God's  grace  ;  "  an  immortal  seed  cast  into  an  immortal  soil," 
that  will  in  the  end  bring  forth  fruit  to  eternal  glory. 

But  is  there  another  hearer,  the  language  of  whose  heart 
is,  "  I  never  was,  and  I  see  not  why  I  should  be,  covered 
with  shame  and  confusion.  As  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
of  course  I  love  him,  and  have  no  doubt  that  he  is  my  Sa- 
viour. As  to  holiness,  certainly  I  desire  to  be  holy ;  I  am 
not  such  a  reprobate  as  to  despise  holiness,  to  be  sure  I  do 
not  pretend  to  be  an  eminent  saint,  but  I  am  glad  to  find 
that  the  day  of  small  things  is  not  to  be  despised,  and  so  I 
hope  all  will  be  well  at  last."  Ah !  my  hearer,  this  is  not 
the  language  of  a  broken-hearted  sinner  ;  at  your  peril  take 
one  crumb  of  comfort  from  the  children's  table.  He  who 
takes  to  himself  comfort  which  does  not  belong  to  him.  only 
treasures  up  "wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath." 

Go  ye,  and  learn  from  the  degraded,  wretched,  helpless, 
guilty  state  of  the  Jews  in  their  captivity,  how  wretched 
your  condition  is.  Break  the  chains  of  your  captivity;  re- 
turn to  the  liberty  of  the  children  of  God ;  and  then  take 


198  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKSON. 

encouragement  from  our  text  and  subject.  One  might  as 
well  expect  the  Jews  in  Babylon,  to  serve  in  building  the 
temple  at  Jerusalem,  as  a  bond-slave  of  sin  and  Satan  to 
build  to  the  Lord  our  God. 

Flee  then  sinner,  flee  out  of  the  midst  of  Babylon  and  de- 
liver every  man  his  own  soul.  But  if  ye  will  not  flee,  the 
day  of  vengeance  will  come,  and  God  will  recompense  to 
every  man  according  to  his  folly,  and  make  him  drink  the 
cup  of  his  fury. 

But  we  must,  in  conclusion,  address  one  word  more  to 
those  who  have  just  escaped  the  confines  of  Satan's  dark 
domain,  and  are  returning  to  the  Lord  their  God.  You  have 
a  work  before  you  which  demands  your  most  active  exer- 
tions. While  our  subject  contains  strong  consolation,  it 
loudly  calls  you  on  to  duty.  Every  doctrine,  every  promise, 
as  well  as  every  direct  precept,  contains  a  practical  admon- 
ition. They  say,  "  Go  on  to  fulfil  all  righteousness."  So 
the  Jews  understood  our  text  to  be  a  call  to  build,  and  Ezra 
bears  honorable  testimony  to  their  obedience.  See  brethren 
that  you  are  diligent  to  build  up  yourselves  in  your  most 
holy  faith  ;  until  the  whole  "building  fitly  framed  together 
groweth  unto  an  holy  temple  in  the  Lord."* 

This  spiritual  temple  of  which  we  speak,  is  not  an  aerial 
castle,  the  creature  of  a  vain  imagination,  raised  by  a  thought, 
existing  only  in  the  fantasy  of  the  mind.  No,  it  has  an  exist- 
ence more  real  than  anything  you  can  see  or  touch  ;  and 
when  this  world  is  burned  up,  and  all  its  gorgeous  palaces 
and  cloud-capt  towers,  are  prostrate  in  the  dust,  it  shall  con- 
tinue, and  be  the  dwelling  of  Him  who  sitteth  upon  the  throne, 
when  "time  shall  be  no  moie." 

Let  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  your  foundation.  Build  ac- 
cording to  the  pattern  shown  you  in  God's  holy  word.      Let 

*  Ephesians   ii.  21. 


SERMONS.  199 

faith,  Christian  faith,  be  placed  upon  the  corner-stone  ;  and 
then,  "  giving  all  diligence,  add  to  your  faith,  virtue  ;  and 
to  virtue,  knowledge  ;  and  to  knowledge,  temperance  ;  and 
to  temperance,  patience  ;  and  to  patience,  godliness  ;  and 
to  godliness,  brotherly  kindness  ;  and  to  brotherly  kindness, 
charity."* 

Rest  not  in  apparent  conversion.  He  who  is  content  with 
small  attainments  in  grace,  has  no  grace  at  all.  But  in  de- 
pendence on  the  promises  of  God,  cleanse  yourselves  and 
perfect  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God.  You  may  have  to  en- 
counter many  trials  and  difficulties.  The  wiles  of  the  devil, 
the  allurements  of  the  world,  the  frowns  of  friends,  and  the 
sad  remains  of  inbred  corruption,  will  ever  be  counteracting 
your  noblest  efforts.  But  be  not  afraid  ;  while  they  conspire 
together  to  hinder  the  work,  like  the  enemies  of  Israel,  do 
you,  like  Nehemiah,  pray  unto  God  and  set  a  watch  by  day 
and  by  night.  Reading,  Meditation,  and  Prayer  are  noble 
instruments  to  help  on  the  good  work  of  grace  in  the  heart ; 
but  ever  look  from  them  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  our  great 
Zerubbabel.  Commit  yourselves  to  Him  ;  nothing  is  too 
hard  for  Him.  He  will  make  every  mountain  a  plain,  and 
every  crooked  thing  straight,  and  you  shall  know  the  truth 
of  the  declaration,  "  The  hands  of  Zerubbabel  have  laid  the 
foundation  of  this  house  ;  his  hands  shall  also  finish  it."t 

*  2  Peter  i.  5-7.  t  Zech.  iv.  9. 


SERMON  VIII. 

And  a  man  shall  be  as  an  hiding  place  from  the  wind,  and 
a  covert  from  the  tempest;  as  rivers  oj  water  in  a  dry  place  ; 
as  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land." — Isaiah 
xxxii.  2. 

What  a  change  has  sin  wrought  in  the  condition  and 
prospects  of  man  !  Before  the  transgression,  man  was  but  a 
little  lower  than  the  angels,  the  world  was  a  paradise,  ev- 
ery returning  day  brought  a  heaven  of  joy,  with  a  pledge 
that  to-morrow  should  be  as  this  day,  and  yet  more  abund- 
ant ;  then  the  whole  creation  was  in  happy  unison  to  cheer 
creation's  chief.  But  oh !  how  changed  the  scene :  the 
very  elements  wage  war  with  man,  the  winds  carry  pesti- 
lence on  their  invisible  pinions,  the  clouds  pour  forth  de- 
structive torrents,  the  sun  beats  with  fiery  fierceness  on  the 
culprit's  head,  the  stars  in  their  courses  fight  against  him  ; 
and  all  this  is  but  a  faint  emblem  of  his  moral  condition 
and  curse.  Could  our  venerable  progenitor  have  seen 
with  omniscient  ken,  all  the  sad  consequences  of  sin  ;  could 
he,  from  some  high  eminence,  have  looked  through  the  long 
vista  of  time,  and  seen  generation  succeed  generation  with 
mourning,  lamentation,  and  woe,  written  on  every  brow ; 
could  he  have  seen  his  numerous  progeny  like  so  many 
travellers  passing  through  the  journey  of  life,  traversing  a 
dry  and  thirsty  land,  exposed  to  wind,  to  tempest,  to  scorch- 


SERMONS.  201 

ing  suns,  and  parching  thirst ;  how  would  his  manly  soul 
have  stood  appalled?  And  could  he  have  stretched  his 
vision  into  the  wide  wastes  of  an  unblessed  eternity,  and 
witnessed  there  rthe  effects  of  sin  ;  how  would  he  have 
sighed  to  surrender  back  his  soul  and  body  to  their  ori- 
ginal nonentity  !  Now  this  is  the  condition  to  which  sin  re- 
duces us.  Read  the  whole  history  of  man  in  its  many 
leaved  volume,  and  you  find  not  one  fair  page  ;  there 
is  literally  nothing  but  a  regular  alternation  of  crimson  guilt, 
and  black  woe.  But  could  he  again  have  seen  here  a  re- 
fuge, and  there  a  covert,  and  yonder  an  overshadowing 
rock ;  and  by  all  the  way  a  cooling  stream ;  that  is,  could 
he  have  seen  a  Saviour  from  sin  and  its  curse,  methinks  he 
would,  with  glowing  heart,  and  ready  tongue,  exclaim, 
"  I'll  live  and  be  blessed,  and  be  the  blessed  father  of  a 
happy  race." 

Such  is  the  condition  in  which  grace  places  us.  The 
revelation  of  God's  grace  is  a  volume,  where  every  page  is 
fair,  every  sentence  peace,  and  every  line  mercy.  If  it 
speak  of  ought  beside,  it  is  only  as  a  beacon  to  guard  us 
against  impending  danger  ;  or,  in  contrast,  to  display  su- 
perior goodness  ;  witness  our  text.  Here  is  the  wind  and 
the  tempest  ;  the  hiding  place  and  the  covert ;  who  need 
fear  the  one  when  the  other  is  so  nigh  ?  I  need  scarcely 
tell  you  that  he  who  is  all  this,  is  the  Man  Christ  Jesus, 
and  we  propose  to  preach  Christ  under  this  imagery. 

I.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  a  retreat  from  the  wind, 
and  a  refuge  from  the  tempest.  A  distinction  might  per- 
haps here  be  drawn  between  wind  and  tempest,  but  we 
consider  them  as  being  so  nearly  synonymous,  that  we  shall 
take  the  liberty  of  blending  them  together  ;  the  one  propa- 
bly  signifies  a  greater,  the  other  a  less  degree  of  the  same 
thing.      Or  perhaps  one  may  refer  to  the  present,  the  other 


202  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

to  the  future  consequences  of  sin,  from  both  which   Christ 
is  a  covert  and  a  shield. 

These  figures  especially  express  the  wrath  of  God. 
"  They  that  plough  iniquity  and  sow  wickedness  reap  the 
same;  (says  Eliphaz,)  by  the  blast  of  God  they  perish,  and 
by  the  breath  of  his  nostrils  are  they  consumed."  "  Terrors 
are  upon  me,  (says  Job,)  they  pursue  my  soul  as  the  wind." 
"  Thou  shalt  fan  them,  (says  God  to  his  Church,  concerning 
her  enemies,)  and  the  wind  shall  carry  them  away,  and  the 
whirlwind  shall  scatter  them."*  When  his  wrath  rises  to 
the  highest  pitch,  and  is  poured  forth  in  all  its  fury,  it  is 
then  called  a  tempest.  "  Terrors  take  hold  on  him  as  wa- 
ters, a  tempest  stealeth  him  away  in  the  night.  The  east 
wind  carrieth  him  away,  and  he  departeth  :  and  as  a  storm 
hurleth  him  out  of  his  place."!  "  Upon  the  wicked  the  Lord 
shall  rain  snares,  fire  and  brimstone,  and  an  horrible  tem- 
pest ;  this  shall  be  the  portion  of  their  cup."J  See  your 
danger  sinners  ;  sinners  we  say,  whether  your  sins  be  many 
or  few,  small  or  great ;  whether  they  be  the  follies  of  youth, 
or  the  frailties  of  age.  Against  every  one  a  sentence  of  de- 
struction is  gone  from  God,  and  oh  !  who  can  stand  before 
Him.  Men  may  fancy  themselves  strong  as  a  mountain, 
but  they  are  as  chaff  before  the  whirlwind  of  His  wrath. 

Think  not  of  this  wrath  according  to  the  storms  with  which 
we  are  familiar,  but  think  of  the  wind  that  rent  the  moun- 
tains, and  brake  the  rocks  asunder  before  Elijah.  Think  of 
the  tempest  that  desolated  the  land  of  Egypt.  Think  of  the 
storm  that  wrecked  the  world  and  sunk  her  wretched  crew 
into  the  depths  of  eternal  misery.  Think  thus,  and  you  have 
some  conception  how  fearful  a  thing  it  is  to  fall  under  the 
tempest  of  God's  wrath.  And  know,  and  remember  that  it 
is  neither  slow,  nor  distant,  nor  uncertain ;  it  comes  swiftly 

*  Isa.  xli.  16.         t  Job  xxvii.  20,  21.         t  Psalm  xi.  6. 


SERMONS.  203 

like  the  wind,  suddenly  like  the  whirl-wind,  certainly  as  the 
flood.  Already  the  clouds  are  gathering  and  blackening, 
and  soon  will  burst  on  the  guilty  soul.  No  sooner  does  man 
commence  his  journey  down  the  little  hill  of  time,  but  lo  !  a 
little  cloud  like  a  man's  hand  arises  in  the  distant  horizon, 
it  grows  with  his  growth,  and  expands  with  his  age,  and 
blackens  with  his  crimes  ;  ever  and  anon  it  shoots  forth  its 
fiery  darts,  and  pours  down  its  sulphureous  streams  in  the 
common  calamities  of  life;  a  certain  precursor  of  the  storm 
which  is  about  to  descend  upon  the  sinner. 

Where,  where  then,  oh !  sinner  wilt  thou  seek  a  hiding- 
place  ?  Wilt  thou  take  refuge  behind  thine  own  bulwarks  ? 
"  As  a  bowing  wall  shall  ye  be,  and  as  a  tottering  fence." 
Wilt  thou  repose  in  thy  virtue  ?  thy  own  virtue  is  but  an  ark 
of  rushes,  unable  to  outride  the  storm.  Seek  it,  where  alone 
it  is  to  be  found  ;  in  the  man  Christ  Jesus ;  He  alone  can 
shelter  thee  from  the  rage  of  the  world,  the  force  of  temp- 
tation, and  the  wrath  of  God.  All  beside  are  refuges  of  lies, 
devised  in  folly,  executed  in  madness  ;  and  when  the  delu- 
ded mortal,  like  the  proud  Assyrian,  boasts  of  the  great 
Babylon  which  he  has  built,  the  destroying  angel  comes, 
laughs  at  the  vain  fabric,  sweeps  away  the  refuge  and  the 
refugee  and  leaves  not  a  wreck  behind. 

But  Christ  affords  complete  protection.  Do  you  ask  how  ? 
As  the  wall  intercepts  the  wind,  and  the  hiding-place  re- 
ceives the  full  force  of  the  storm.  For  us  he  became  a  man 
of  sorrows,  and  drank  the  bitter  cup  of  His  father's  wrath  ; 
for^us  He  was  tempted,  and  blunted  the  shafts  of  Satan's 
devices  ;  for  us  He  received  the  contents  of  the  seven  vials  ; 
and  now,  His  name,  His  person  and  work,  is  a  strong  tow- 
er, the  righteous  runneth  into  it  and  is  safe. 

Only  take  refuge  by  faith  in  the  righteousness  of  Christ, 
that  is,  His  whole  obedience  to  the  moral  law ;  and  in  His 


204  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

atonement,  that  is,  the  whole  series  of  his  sufferings,  and 
you  will  find  yourselves  behind  a  wall  of  adamant  which 
no  wind  can  shake  ;  and  in  a  covert  which  no  storm  can 
penetrate;  you  will  find  then,  the  clouds  you  so  much  dread 

"  Are  big  with  blea6ings,  and  shall  break 
In  blessings  on  your  head." 

II.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  held  out  to  us  under  the 
idea  of  rivers  in  a  dry  place. 

This  world  is  called  a  wilderness  in  allusion  to  that  through 
which  the  Israelites  passed  to  Canaan,  and  like  that  it 
reaches  from  the  house  of  our  bondage  to  the  promised  land. 
If  we  look  at  the  description  given  of  the  former,  we  shall 
find  that  it  corresponds  precisely  with  the  latter.  Moses 
calls  that  "  a  great  and  terrible  wilderness,  wherein  were 
scorpions,  and  drought,  and  where  was  no  water."*  Ho- 
sea  "  a  land  of  great  drought,"t  and  Jeremiah  "  a  land  of 
deserts  and  pits,  a  land  of  drought  and  of  the  shadow  of 
death."|  These  circumstances,  and  especially  the  want  of 
water,  account  for  the  frequent  murmurings  of  the  Israelites; 
hungry  and  thirsty  their  souls  fainted  within  them.  Such 
is  the  world,  and  such  our  characters.  It  is  natural  for  men 
to  thirst,  and  it  is  natural  to  seek  after  something  that  will 
satisfy.  There  is  a  principle  in  man  which  ever  cries  "give, 
give."  The  evil  lies  not  here,  but  in  applying  to  those 
creature  enjoyments  which  can  never  satisfy  ;  there  the  evil 
lies,  "they  forsake  the  fountain  of  living  waters,  and  hew 
them  out  cisterns,  broken  cisterns  that  can  hold  no  water." 
They  go  to  pits  that  have  no  water.  Some  worldly  object 
looks  in  distant  prospect  like  a  deceitful  morass,  it  presents 
the  appearance  of  a  pellucid  lake,  they  hasten  towards  it, 
but  alas  !  as  Jeremiah  expresses  it  "They  are  waters  that 

*Deut.  viii.  15.  tHosea  xiii.  5.  IJer.  ii.  6. 


SERMONS.  205 

fail,"  that  are  not  sure  ;  they  have  the  appearance,  but  not 
the  reality.  And  if  perchance  they  find,  like  the  tribes  of 
Israel,  a  well  by  the  way,  it  is  marah ;  sin  has  rendered  it 
so  bitter  that  they  cannot  drink,  or  so  brackish  that  it  rather 
increases  than  diminishes  thirst.  So  then  their  very  drink 
is  death  to  their  enjoyment  here,  and  soon  they  will  thirst 
never  to  drink  again  ;  no,  not  a  drop  of  water  will  cool 
their  parched  tongues,  and  perhaps  their  torment  increased 
by  the  view  of  the  river  of  the  water  of  life  proceeding  from 
the  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb. 

Imagine,  my  dear  hearers,  an  individual  situated  as  we 
have  described,  in  a  wretched  land  without  water  ;  for  very 
thirst  in  the  agonies  of  death ;  whom  think  you  would  he 
esteem  his  best  friend  ?  the  man  who  would  offer  to  lead 
him  to  the  pinnacle  of  honor,  or  show  him  the  road  to 
wealth,  or  conduct  him  to  the  gay  fields  of  pleasure  ?  or  the 
man  who  would  bring  him  a  cup  of  cold  water,  and  would 
lead  him  to  a  land  of  fountains  and  depths  that  spring  out 
of  valleys  and  hills  ?  My  hearers,  this  world  is  that  wretched 
land,  and  thou  art  the  traveller  ;  Satan  offers  you  the  former, 
Christ  the  latter.  In  the  wilderness  there  is  a  rock,  and 
that  rock  is  Christ ;  it  is  a  smitten  rock,  smitten  for  us  in 
mercy  by  the  hand  of  justice,  and  from  that  smitten  rock 
flow  waters,  "rivers  of  waters  of  life."  It  is  the  river  in  a 
dry  place.  He  is  the  river  which  makes  glad  the  city  of  our 
God.  "In  the  last  day,  that  great  day  of  the  feast,  Jesus 
stood  and  cried,  saying,  if  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come 
unto  me  and  drink."  The  watchman  on  the  distant  hills 
caught  the  sound,  and  echoed,  and  re-echoed  it,  from  land 
to  land,  and  from  age  to  age,  until  it  reached  our  land,  and 
age,  and  ears ;  and  now  by  the  voice  of  his  ministers,  he 
cries  still,  "Ho!  every  one  that  thirsteth,  come  ye  to  the 
waters."     Come  then,  ye  thirsty  pilgrims  and  drink  ;  they 


206  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

are  living  waters,  waters  of  gladness,  satisfying  waters  ; 
drink  abundantly,  the  river  is  ever  full.  "  The  world  is  a 
pond  whose  waters  soon  run  out,  but  Christ  is  a  spring 
whose  streams  are  perennial." 

Depend  upon  it,  ray. hearers,  none  but  Christ  and  his 
salvation  can  satisfy  your  souls.  Consolation,  joy,  peace,  - 
pleasantness,  are  found  only  in  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  Act  like  Moses  when  commanded  to  strike  the 
rock  ;  reason  not  upon  the  improbability  of  the  case  ;  say 
not  that  religion  is  a  dry  repulsive  thing ;  but  like  him 
believe,  like  him  obey.  Come  with  joy,  draw  water 
out  of  the  wells  of  salvation,  and  prove  for  yourselves  the 
truth  of  the  declaration,  "He  that  believeth  on  me,  out  of  his 
belly  shall  flow  rivers  of  living  water."  Go  not  to  the  arti- 
ficial reservoirs  of  man's  inventions,  but  go  to  the  river  of 
God.  "Whoso  drinketh  of  those  waters  shall  thirst  again  ;" 
they  may  seem  to  satisfy,  but  take  the  cup  from  the  lips, 
and  they  are  still  parched,  "but  whoso  drinketh  of  these 
waters  shall  never  thirst ;"  never  desire  again  to  return  to 
the  beggarly  elements  of  the  world,  never  have  a  desire 
unsatisfied.  The  waters  of  divine  consolation  ever  mean- 
der at  the  Christian's  feet,  yea,  they  are  in  him  "a  well  of 
water  springing  up  to  everlasting  life."  There  are  princi. 
pies  and  affections  formed  in  the  believer's  heart  which 
yield  delight  the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away  ; 
delight  that  abides  with  him  at  all  times,  and  under  all  cir- 
cumstances, in  sickness  and  in  health,  in  prosperity  and  in 
adversity,  at  home  and  abroad,  in  life  and  in  death,  in  time 
and  in  eternity.  Tell  us,  ye  who  drink  at  the  world's 
cisterns,  can  they  boast  of  aught  like  this  ?  Ask  the  sick, 
ask  the  afflicted,  ask  the  dying,  ask  Dives  j  and  they  will 
tell  you, 


SERMONS.  207 

"  That  you  may  as  well  expect  meridian  light 

From  shades  of  black  mouthed  night, 

As  in  this  empty  world  to  find  a  full  delight." 

III.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  set  forth  under  the  idea 
of  an  overshadowing  rock.  The  incarnate  Son  of  God  is 
often  called  a  rock  ;  at  one  time  to  intimate  that  He  is  our 
only  foundation  on  which  to  build  our  hopes  of  eternal  life  ; 
at  another  as  a  basis  for  the  feet,  in  opposition  to  the  miry 
clay ;  at  a  third,  as  a  strength  to  the  needy  in  his  distress  ; 
and  here,  as  a  shadow  to  the  weary  sun-stricken  traveller. 
Sometimes  he  is  compared  to  the  shadow  of  a  tree,  "  as 
the  apple  tree  among  the  trees  of  the  wood,  so  is  my 
beloved  among  the  sons.  I  sat  down  under  his  shad- 
ow with  great  delight,  and  his  fruit  was  sweet  to  my 
taste."*  Again,  to  a  canopy  of  clouds  :  "  Like  a  cloud  of 
dew  in  the  heat  of  harvest :"  f  as  the  pillar  of  cloud  hung 
upon  Israel's  camp. 

But,  in  our  text  he  is  compared  to  an  overshadowing 
rock,  which  can  neither  be  dispersed  by  the  wind,  like  a 
cloud,  nor  penetrated  by  the  sun,  like  a  tree.  To  travellers 
in  a  hot  and  sultry  clime,  scarce  any  thing  can  afford  such 
delight  as  to  find  a  great  rock,  as  most  perfectly  excluding 
the  rays  of  the  sun,  and  imparting  a  natural  coolness.  Such 
a  land  is  the  world,  and  such  a  rock  is  Christ.  Out  of 
Christ,  man  is  ever  exposed  to  the  unbroken  face  of  adver- 
sity's rays,  or  to  temptation's  malignant  beams,  or  to  the 
less  dreaded,  but  no  less  fatal,  gleams  of  prosperity.  The 
Christian  may  be  in  any  of  these  conditions,  but  he  is 
safe  ;  he  may  be  in  adversit}r,  but  there  is  one  with  him  like 
the  Son  of  God,  and  he  walks  in  the  fire,  and  is  not  con- 
sumed ;  he  may  be  in  temptation,  but  there  is  a  shield 
about  him  which  no  shaft  can  pierce,  he  may  be  in  the  still 
more  pestiferous  atmosphere  of  prosperity,  but  there  is  an 

*  Sol.  Song,  ii.  2.  t  Isa.  xviii.  4. 


208  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

influence  around  him  which  preserves  his  heart  and  con- 
versation pure  ;  so,  "he  is  not  afraid  for  the  terror  by  night, 
nor  for  the  arrow  that  flieth  by  day,  nor  for  the  pestilence 
that  walketh  in  darkness,  nor  for  the  destruction  that  wasteth 
at  noonday,  a  thousand  shall  fall  at  his  side,  and  ten  thou- 
sand at  his  right  hand,  but  it  shall  not  come  nigh  him.  Be- 
cause he  has  made  the  Lord  his  refuge,  and  the  Most  High 
his  habitation.  He  dwelleth  in  the  secret  place  of  the  Most 
High,  and  abides  under  the  shadow  of  the  Almighty."* 

Pilgrim,  art  thou  weary  of  the  world's  cares,  and  Satan's 
devices,  and  thine  own  sins !  get  thee  to  this  rock,  it  is  the 
only  salubrious,  serene,  and  quiet  region  in  the  whole  uni- 
verse. "  Their  rock  is  not  as  our  rock,  even  our  enemies 
themselves  being  judges.     Deut.  xxxn.  31. 

They  must,  and  at  times  will  acknowledge,  that  the 
righteous  are  the  only  secure,  the  only  happy  people ;  and 
in  the  day  when  every  hill  shall  flee  away,  except  the  hill 
which  God  has  made,  then  will  they  cry  "  the  fools  thought 
their  lives  madness,  but  we  now  find  that  such  were  our 
own,  and  their's  the  way  of  wisdom." 

To  take  shelter  under  the  rock  Christ  Jesus,  is  to  repose 
on  the  power  of  God,  to  confide  in  the  truth  of  God,  and  to 
seek  refreshment  from  the  word  and  ordinances  of  God. 
He  who  thus  takes  shelter  in  Christ,  expects,  by  the  power 
of  God,  and  not  by  the  might  of  his  own  arm,  to  obtain  de- 
liverance from  all  his  enemies,  sorrows,  and  sins  ;  from 
death  and  the  grave  ;  from  pollution  and  eternal  woe  ;  and 
by  the  truth  of  God  he  is  assured  that  all  this  shall  be  ac- 
complished. On  the  power  and  "  truth  of  God  he  reposes 
with  perfect  safety,  with  a  hope  that  can  never  make  him 
ashamed,  with  a  faith  which  cannot  be  broken  down. 
Under  the  shadow  of  this  great  rock  he  sits  with  unspeak- 

*  Ps.  xci. 


SERMONS.  209 

able  delight,  and  sees  all  the  "exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises"  advancing  to  a  regular,  constant  and  certain 
fulfilment,  throughout  the  progress  of  never-ending  being." 
But  his  enjoyments  consist  not  merely  in  anticipations  ;  he 
has  present  realities.  After  six  days  exposure  to  storms 
and  heat  and  drought,  on  the  seventh  he  sits  with  delight 
under  the  shadow  of  God's  word  and  ordinances,  and  finds 
himself  abundantly  and  sweetly  refreshed  with  the  drop- 
pings of  the  sanctuary.  No  chased,  stricken  deer  pants 
more  earnestly  for  the  cooling  stream,  than  the  thirsty  soul 
for  the  spiritual  consolations  of  God's  house.  "My  soul  is 
athirst  for  God,  yea,  even  for  the  living  God :  when  shall  I 
come  to  appear  before  the  presence  of  God?"  *  "My  soul 
longeth,  yea,  even  fainteth  for  the  courts  of  the  Lord  ;  my 
heart  and  my  flesh  crieth  out  for  the  living  God."f 

Many,  my  dear  hearers,  can  attest  the  excellency  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  all  these  respects  :  nor  shall  any  who 
seek  him,  seek  in  vain,  or  be  disappointed  of  their  hopes 
Have  you  had  recourse  to  this  refuge  from  the  storm  and 
tempest  ?  Perhaps  you  think  you  have  ;  I  trust  it  may  be  so ; 
but  mistake  is  possible,  and  it  is  dangerous  ;  let  us  there- 
fore test  the  point.  Have  you  ever  felt  that,  by  reason  of 
sin,  you  are  justly  exposed  to  ruin  ;  and  that,  out  of  Christ, 
there  is  no  possibility  of  escape  ?  If  you  have  never  been 
convinced  of  the  truth,  you  are  like  those  Egyptians,  who 
regarded  not  the  threateningsofGod  concerning  the  plague  of 
hail,  and  through  their  infidelity,  sought  no  refuge,  and 
perished  in  the  field.  Have  you  been  convinced  by  the 
word  and  your  own  experience,  that  the  world  and  the 
things  that  are  in  the  world  are  unsatisfying  ;  and,  in  con- 
sequence of  this  conviction,  have  you  renounced  the  world 
and  its  vanities,  its  pomps  and  its  pleasures,  and  drawn 
your  consolations  from  a  heavenly  source  ?     If  you  have 

*  Ps.  xlii.  2.  t  Ps.  lxxxiv.  2. 

14 


210  REMAINS    OP    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

not  learned  the  entire  vanity  of  every  thingbutChiist,  and  His 
infinite  sufficiency,  you  "have  not  seen  Him,  neither  known 
him  :"  you  have  not  begun  to  drink  in  endless  pleasures 
from  the  rivers  of  his  grace. 

Have  you  never  felt  under  sin,  temptation,  adversity, 
yea,  even  under  prosperity,  like  one  under  a  melting  firma- 
ment, ready  to  die  for  some  retreat,  some  cooling  stream, 
some  refreshing  shade  ?  Have  you  never  desired  to  find 
that  place  where  you  might  cast  off  your  burden,  escape 
the  power  of  sin,  and  avoid  the  force  of  allurements  ?  And 
have  you  not  learned  that  relief  cannot  be  found  in  all  the 
world  beside,  except  under  the  shadow  of  an  eternal  rock? 
I  dare  not  flatter  you  ;  if  you  have  not,  you  are  strangers 
to  Christ. 

But,  if  you  feel  your  guilt,  your  want,  your  danger,  then 
let  me  exhort  you  to  come  to  Christ  by  prayer  and  faith. 
He  who  would  be  safe  must  take  shelter  under  the  covert 
of  His  righteousness,  and  he  who  would  be  happy  must 
draw  comforts  from  His  spirit,  and  walk  under  the  shadow 
of  His  providence.  Do  you  ask  whether  you  have  a  suffi- 
cient warrant  to  come  to  Christ?  The  Father  says,  "Turn 
ye  to  the  strong  hold  :"  the  Son — "Look  unto  me  and  be 
ye  saved:"  the  Spirit — "Whosoever  will,  let  him  come." 
These  exhortations  are  not  grounded  upon  your  worthiness, 
but  upon  your  necessity  and  willingness.  Let  him  that  is 
guilty  come.  Let  him  that  is  athirst  come.  Let  him  that 
is  weary  and  heavy  laden  come.  And,  in  short,  so  must  it  be 
in  every  case,  "whosoever  will"  let  him  retreat  behind  the 
cross  ;  "let  him  drink  of  the  waters  of  life  freely;"  let  him 
hide  himself  in  the  clefts  of  the  rock,  "until  the  indignation 
be  overpast :  for,  behold,  the  Lord  cometh  out  of  his  place 
to  punish  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  for  their  iniquity."  * 

*  Is  xxvi.  20.  21, 


SERMONS.  211 

Do  you  still  question  whether  any  does  pity  or  can  re- 
lieve ?  Christ  pities,  for  He  is  a  man  "touched  with  the 
feeling  of  our  infirmities:"  and  He  can  relieve,  for  He  is 
"  God  over  all,  blessed  forever  more."  He  is  called  a  man, 
though  not  a  mere  man  ;  for  He  is  the  "King  who  reigns 
in  righteousness  ;"  "  the  King  eternal,  immortal,  invisible, 
the  only  wise  God."  Neither  is  he  mere  divinity ;  for  He 
assumed  our  nature,  and  by  this  assumption  became  every 
way  competent  to  be  our  "hiding-place  from  the  wind,  and 
■our  covert  from  the  tempest ;  as  rivers  of  water  in  a  dry 
place  ;  as  the  shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land." 
How  a  mere  man  can  be  all  this,  it  is  impossible  to  con- 
ceive. How  a  God  can  who  is  a  "consuming  fire,"  is 
equally  unintelligible  :  but  "God  manifest  in  the  flesh,"  at 
once  commends  Himself  to  our  understandings,  our  affec- 
tions, our  faith.  A  Saviour,  such  as  we  needed,  must  be 
God  and  man  ;  a  sufferer  and  a  conqueror;  a  victim  and  the 
bringer-in  of  everlasting  righteousness.  Such  an  one  is  God 
in  Christ,  if  ihere  be  any  honesty,  any  truth  in  the  testimony 
of  Scripture  concerning  Him.  Let  Him  have  our  gratitude, 
our  love,  our  faith  :  let  us  give  Him  our  confidence,  our 
hearts,  our  all ;  and  He  will  give  us  salvation  from  the  love, 
and  power,  and  curse  of  sin  ;  He  will  be  our  refuge  in  trou- 
ble, our  river  in  a  dry  and  thirsty  land,  and  our  rock  under 
the  sun's  smiting  rays.  No  evil  bodily  or  spiritual,  in  time 
or  eternity,  shall  come  nigh  to  hurt  them  that  trust  in  Him 
who  is  God  over  all,  blessed  forever  more. 


SERMON  IX. 

"  Who  is  among  you  that  feareth  the  Lord,  that  obeyeth  the 
voice  of  his  servant,  thatwalheth  in  darkness  and  hath  no  light  ? 
let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  his  God" 
— Isaiah,  1.  10. 

When  a  sinner  "puts  off  concerning  the  former  conver- 
sation the  old  man,  which  is  corrupt  according  to  the  de- 
ceitful lusts,  and  is  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  his  mind,"  * 
then  he  is  advanced  to  a  dignity,  and  made  partaker  of  en- 
io}nnents,  unknown  before.  He  is  made  a  son  of  God, 
and  blessed  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ  Jesus. 

The  exceeding  great  and  precious  privileges  of  God's 
people  are  expressed  under  a  variety  of  figures  in  the  Sa- 
cred Scriptures,  and  especially  those  which  relate  to  their 
sensible  enjoyments.  Sometimes  they  are  compared  to 
"living  water,"  "  heavenly  food,"  a  "pleasant  path." 
But  perhaps  no  figure  is  more  common  than  that  of  light. 
"  Ye  were  sometimes  darkness,  but  now  are  ye  light  in  the 
Lord."  t  "  Thy  light  is  come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
is  risen  upon  thee."  f  "  The  Lord  is  my  light  and  my 
salvation,  whom  shall  I  fear."  || 

As  light  conveys  to  our  minds  the  idea  of  something  un- 
speakably sweet  and  pleasant,  so  it  intimates  that  these 
enjoyments  are  uncertain.  There  are  indeed  blessings  con- 

*  Eph.  iv.  22.        t  Eph.  v.  8.         t  Isa.  lx.  1.        ||  Psalm  xxvii.  1. 


SERMONS.  213 

nected  with  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  which  are  perfect  and 
indefeasible — as  justification  and  adoption :  but  those 
which  are  inherent — as  love,  joy,  peace,  and  the  smiles  of 
God's  countenance — are  ever  variable  and  changing. 
These  keep  pace  with  our  sanctification  ;  that,  being  im- 
perfect, they  are,  of  course,  liable  to  constant  waxings  and 
wanings. 

All  Christians  are  not  equally  happy — none  are  always 
so.  Some  mount  up  as  on  eagles'  wings,  towards  heaven 
their  native  place — others  are  so  feeble  and  faint,  that  they 
can  scarce  stretch  up  a  single  thought  towards  God.  Some 
are  strong  m  the  full  assurance  of  faith  and  hope — others 
are  like  a  bruised  reed.  Some  are  "  exceeding  glad"  all 
the  day  long,  through  "  the  light  of  God's  countenance" — 
others  "  walk  in  darkness,  and  have  no  light." 

To  the  latter  class,  our  subject  will  be  addressed  ;  and, 
if  any  of  my  hearers  are  "  sitting  under  the  dark  mantle  of 
a  sad  and  tedious  night,"  we  pray  God,  that  the  present 
voice  may  usher  in  the  golden  chariots  of  a  glorious  morn- 
ing to  their  souls,  which,  "  like  the  shining  light,  shall  shine 
more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day." 

We  shall  follow  the  order  marked  out  in  our  text,  and 
first  point  out  the  characters  intended — then,  their  condition 
— and  then  give  some  suitable  directions. 

I.  We  are  to  notice  the  character  addressed  in  our  text. 
It  is  evident  that  a  particular  class  of  those  who  are  in 
darkness,  are  here  intended — those  who  fear  and  obey  God. 
Those  who  fear  and  obey  Him  not,  are  in  darkness  ;  but  it 
is  far  different  from  the  former.  They  are  in  the  darkness 
of  nature  ;  in  a  state  of  mind  similar  to  the  unformed 
world,  when  darkness  lay  upon  the  face  of  the  deep  ;  those 
are  in  the  shade  of  an  eclipse — a  transient  obscuration  of 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness.    God  addresses  the  former  in  a 


214  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

manner  far  different  from  the  latter — in  the  language  of 
alarm  and  terror.  "  Arise  !  awake  !  "  "  why  slumberest 
thou  ?  "  "  Awake  thou  that  sleepest  and  arise  from  the 
dead  !  "  To  the  latter  He  speaks  in  the  voice  of  tender- 
ness and  love.  He  seems  to  "gather  them  in  his  arms," 
and,  in  the  still,  small  voice  of  love,  to  whisper  in  their 
ears,  "  wherefore  do  ye  doubt  ?  Be  not  afraid,  O  ye  of 
little  faith  !  "  "  Trust  in  the  Lord  and  stay  upon  thy  God  ;" 
and,  though  darkness  "  may  endure  for  a  night,  joy  cometh 
in  the  morning." 

1st.  It  is  the  character  of  the  people  of  God,  that, 
though  in  darkness,  "they fear  the  Lord."  Not  as  a  slave 
fears  his  master — but  as  a  son  his  father.  Not  as  fallen 
spirits  fear  God,  and  tremble  before  his  glory,  yet  hale  his 
blessed  character — but  as  angels,  who,  while  they  fear,  rev- 
erence and  adore. 

This  fear  is  grounded  upon  a  firm  belief  of  the  purity  of 
God,  that  forbids  Him  to  regard  sin  with  toleration,  much 
less  with  the  slightest  degree  of  complacency  ;  and  of  His 
justice,  that  forbids  Him  to  permit  unatoned  sin  to  go  un- 
punished;  and  of  His  wrath,  bitter  as  wormwood,  terrible 
as  an  army  with  banners,  hot  as  Tophet  kindled  with  the 
breath  of  God.  It  is  grounded  likewise  on  a  right  appre- 
hension of  His  love,  a  pearl  of  greater  price  than  life  itself. 
"  All  that  a  man  hath  will  he  give  for  his  life  ;"  but  for  this, 
he  will  give  all  and  life  beside,  for  he  feels  that  "  the  lov- 
ing-kindness of  Jehovah  is  better  than  life" — better  than 
long  life — better  than  life  at  its  best  estate — better  than 
long  life  and  prosperity  all  our  days. 

This  fear  springs  from  a  reverential  esteem  for  the 
majesty  of  God,  a  dread  of  His  displeasure,  a  desire  of  His 
favor,  blended  with  supreme  love  for  His  immaculate 
character,  His  infinite  perfections,  and  sovereign  goodness. 
This  is  a  genuine  fear  of  God.     From  this   fear  of  God, 


SERMONS.  215 

springs  a  desire  to  please  Him  in  all  things.  Such  a  dis- 
position of  heart,  produces  a  corresponding  course  in  the 
life ;  hence,  the  character  in  our  text  is  next  described  as 

2d.  "  Obeying  the  voice  of  his  servant" 

By  "  His  servant"  is  meant  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  "who 
being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal 
with  God ;  but  made  himself  of  no  reputation,  and  took 
upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant."  *  By  "  the  voice  of  His 
servant,"  is  meant,  the  whole  revelation  of  His  will  in  the 
Law  and  Gospel ;  or,  the  requisitions  which  God,  as  our 
Sovereign,  lays  upon  us  in  the  covenant  of  works,  and  as 
our  Saviour,  under  the  covenant  of  grace ;  and  embraces 
repentance,  faith,  and   holiness. 

He  preached  repentance.  "  Repent  ye  and  believe  the 
Gospel."  t  "  Except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  per- 
ish." |  To  this  voice,  the  character  now  addressed,  is 
obedient.  A  view  of  sin  as  committed  against  a  God  of 
matchless  purity,  inflexible  justice,  and  resistless  power — 
against  a  God  whose  favor  is  life  eternal,  and  whose  dis- 
pleasure is  a  flaming  fire,  and  "everlasting  destruction 
from  the  glory  of  His  power" — against  a  God  who  has 
been  his  chief  benefactor  and  friend.  Such  a  view  of  sin, 
breaks  his  heart  into  penitence,  extracts  the  tear  of  godly 
sorrow  from  his  eye,  and  generates  a  holy  indignation 
against  sin  in  his  heart. 

Christ  preached  the  necessity  of  faith.  "  He  that  believ- 
eth  shall  be  saved."  "  This  is  the  work  of  God,  that  ye  be- 
lieve on  him  whom  He  hath  sent."||  The  character  we  are 
considering,  has  heard  the  testimony  that  God  has  given 
concerning  His  Son  ;  that  "  there  is  none  other  name  under 
heaven  given  among  men,  whereby  we  must  be  saved. "§ 

*  Phil.  ii.  6,  7.  t  Mark  i.  15.  t  Luke  xiii.  3. 

||  John  vi.  29.  §  Acts  iv.  12. 


21G  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

He  has  learned  the  way  of  salvation  by  faith ;  he  is  wil- 
ling to  accept  of  salvation  in  this  way  ;  accordingly,  he  ren- 
ders the  obedience  of  faith.  In  other  words  he  trusts,  con- 
fides, depends  on  Christ  for  salvation.  He  commits  his  soul 
into  His  hands  to  be  saved  by  Him  in  His  own  appointed 
way,  "  by  grace  alone,  through  faith." 

Christ  preached  the  necessity  of  holiness.  "  Thou  shalt 
love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy 
soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind."  The  renovated  soul  hears 
this  command,  and  is  willing,  and  sincerely  endeavours,  to 
obey  it  in  all  its  length  and  breadth.  It  is  true  he  is  not  ab- 
solutely free  from  sin,  but  he  has  an  absolute  hatred  of  it ; 
he  is  not  perfect  in  obedience,  but  he  labors  uniformly  and 
universally  to  obey  all  the  divine  commands. 

Indeed  it  is  perhaps  to  this  particular  point  that  our  text 
has  the  most  direct  reference,  because  it  is  that  which  most 
obviously  distinguishes  the  character  of  God's  people  ;  it  is 
that  which  bears  testimony  to  every  other  branch  of  the  work 
of  grace  in  the  soul  of  man. 

In  proportion  to  the  depth  of  humility,  and  the  height  of 
faith,  and  the  luxuriance  of  love,  so  will  be  the  perfection 
of  holiness  and  the  abundance  of  good  works. 

And,  let  it  ever  be  remembered,  that  no  man  has  any  solid 
pretensions  to  true  religion,  who  loves  not  in  deed  and  in 
truth.  He  not  only  says  to  the  naked  and  destitute,  "  Be 
ye  warmed,  and  be  ye  clothed,"  but  he  clothes  and  feeds 
them.  He  not  only  says,  "  Forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we 
forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us,"  but  he  forgives  as 
freely  as  he  hopes  to  be  forgiven.  He  not  only  prays,  "  Thy 
kingdom  come,"  but  he  labors  by  actual  exertion,  and  by 
willing  contributions,  to  extend  that  kingdom.  Cost  him 
what  self-denial  it  may,  in  acts  of  frugality,  in  the  mortifi- 
cation of  pride,  in  subduing  indolence  that  he  may  do  his 


SERMONS.  217 

master's  work,  the  sacrifice  is  cheerfully  made.  He  has 
learned  how  to  deny  himself  for  the  sake  of  following  Christ. 
Nothing  so  much  establishes  the  sincerity  of  our  profession 
as  self-denial. 

The  mortification  of  darling  appetites,  passions  and  incli- 
nations, in  obedience  to  the  will  of  God,  will  pass  for  more 
at  His  bar,  than  the  sacrifice  of  ten  thousand  rams,  or  the 
offering  of  a  thousand  rivers  of  oil. 

A  man  may  say  "  Lord,  Lord  ;"  he  may  profess  the  name 
and  cause  of  Christ ;  he  may  read  the  Scriptures,  attend 
public  and  social  worship ;  he  may  talk  much  of  doctrines 
and  duties,  promises  and  privileges  ;  he  may  "  eat  and  drink 
in  Christ's  name" ;  he  may  take  the  sacred  symbols  of  His 
body  and  blood  ;  he  may  do  "  many  wonderful  works" ; 
may  feed  the  poor,  work  miracles,  and  speak  with  tongues  ; 
he  may  "  prophecy"  ;  he  may  preach  the  Gospel  during  a 
long  life  ;  and  yet  practice  no  self-denial,  and  so  be  none  of 
Christ's.  But,  "whosoever  takes  up  his  cross  and  follows 
Christ," — he  is  His  disciple, — he  is  the  character  addressed 
in  the  text.  This  is  the  obedience  which  Christ  pre-eminent- 
ly requires,  and  we  have  insisted  the  more  upon  it,  because 
it  is  the  very  point  in  which  professed  Christians  are  most 
deficient. 

Having  thus  defined  the  character,  we  now  proceed 

II.  To  notice  the  condition  in  which  he  is  supposed  to  be 
"  walking  in  darkness  and  having  no  light." 

God's  people,  favorites  of  heaven,  children  of  light,  may 
be  surrounded  with  thick  darkness  for  a  time.  Not  with 
the  darkness  of  nature,  but  with  the  darkness  of  an  exerci- 
sed soul — in  a  distressed,  comfortless  state  of  mind.  They 
may  be  assaulted  with  the  darts  of  Satan.  Their  sins  may 
stand  in  dread  array  before  them,  and  not  the  least  expres- 
sion of  divine  love  be  given  to  their  souls.  They  may  have 
no  light — no  sense  of  God's  love — no  token  of  divine  favor. 


218  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    \VM.     JACKSON. 

They  may  be  utterly  destitute  of  comfort,  without  the  faint- 
est glimmering  of  the  light  of  joy  and  peace, — entirely  de- 
prived of  the  "  witness  of  the  spirit."  "  They  may  have  no 
lively  influence  of  divine  power,  raising  the  mind  to  the 
contemplation  of  God,  and  to  communion  with  Him" — and 
yet,  not  be  destitute  of  the  light  of  grace. 

The  experience  of  all  God's  people,  in  every  age,  proves 
this  fact.  Thus  Job — "  Wherefore  hidest  thou  thy  face,  and 
holdest  me  for  thine  enemy  ?"*  "  Behold  I  go  forward,  but 
he  is  not  there  ;  and  backward,  but  I  cannot  perceive  him  ; 
on  the  left  hand  where  he  doth  work,  but  I  cannot  behold 
him  ;  he  holdeth  himself  on  the  right  hand,  that  I  can- 
not see  him."t  And  David — "  As  the  hart  panteth  after 
the  water-brooks,  so  panteth  my  soul  after  thee,  O  God. 
My  soul  thirsteth  for  God,  for  the  living  God  :  when  shall  I 
come  and  appear  before  God  ?  My  tears  have  been  my 
meat  day  and  night,  while  they  daily  say  unto  me,  Where 
is  thy  God."£ 

Paul  was  a  chosen  vessel,  and  grace  had  taken  up  its 
abode  in  his  heart,  when  the  scales  on  his  eyes  were  only  a 
figure  of  the  darkness  within  ;  and  when,  on  another  occa- 
sion, he  exclaimed  "  O,  wretched  man  that  I  am  !  who  shall 
deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  ?"|| 

Peter  speaks  of  those  whom  he  addresses  as  "  elect  ac- 
cording to  the  foreknowledge  of  God  the  Father,"  and  bles- 
ses God  for  the  "  abundant  mercy"  bestowed  on  them  ;  and 
yet,  for  a  season,  they  might  be  "  in  heaviness  through  man- 
ifold temptations."  Yea,  he  adds,  there  is  a  "  needs  be" 
for  it ;  "  that  the  trial  of  their  faith" — their  trust  and  staying 
upon  God — "  might  be  found  unto  praise  and  honour  and 
glory,  at  the  appearing  of  Jesus  Christ."^ 

*  Job  xiii.  24.  t  Job  xxiii.  8.  9.  \  Psalm  xlii.  1—3. 

||  Romans  vii.  24.  §  1  Pet.  ii.  2,  6,  7. 


SERMONS.  2.L9 

Thus  the  spouse  in  Solomon's  song — the  representation  of 
the  Church  of  God  on  earth — mourns  after  her  departed  hus- 
band, which  is  Christ.  "  Saw  ye  him  whom  my  soul  lov- 
eth  ?"  Even  the  blessed  Saviour  himself,  entered  the  king- 
dom through  the  darkness  of  temptation ;  anguish  of  body 
and  mind  ;  under  the  hidings  of  his  Father's  face.  "  My 
God,  my  God  !  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ?"  And  every 
child  of  God,  may,  at  one  time  or  other,  adopt  the  lines  of 
a  truly  spiritual  poet 

"  My  sun  is  hid — my  comforts  lost ; 

My  graces  droop — my  sins  revive  ; 
Distressed,  dismayed,  and  tempest-tossed, 

My  soul  is  only  just  alive." 

But  why  do  we  labor  to  prove  that,  which  is  as  well 
known  to  all  who  fear  and  obey  God,  as  the  regular  alter- 
nations of  night  and  day,  summer  and  winter  ?  If  any  of 
my  hearers  are  ignorant  on  this  subject,  and  to  the  natural 
man  it  is  senseless  jargon,  it  is  proof  that  they  have  not  taken 
the  first  step  in  the  divine  life.  There  is  no  real  apprehen- 
sion of  this  spiritual  subject,  except  as  we  know  something 
of  God  and  the  light  of  His  countenance.  Nor  is  this  to  be 
confounded  with  our  outward  circumstances.  We  may  be 
in  the  greatest  possible  worldly  prosperity,  and  yet,  in 
spiritual  darkness ;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  we  may  be  in 
the  deepest  adversity, — poverty  and  want  may  come  like 
"an  armed  man;"  sickness  may  emaciate  our  frames; 
reproach  and  contumely  may  be  poured  upon  us;  "deep 
may  call  upon  deep;"  "waves  and  billows  may  go  over 
us" — and  yet,  "the  candle  of  the  Lord  may  shine  upon  us." 
David  was  in  the  climax  of  prosperity,  when  in  the  depth 
of  spiritual  desertion.  St.  Paul  was  a  prisoner  of  the  Lord, 
ready  to  be  offered  a  martyr  to  the  cause  of  Jesus,  when  he 


220  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

exclaimed — "I  know  whom  I  have  believed."*  "Hence- 
forth there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness,  which 
the  Lord,  the  righteous  judge,  shall  give  me  at  that  day."t 

Seeing  then,  that  the  children  of  God  may  be  in  such 
varied  circumstances,  we  remark,  that  their  state  is  not  to 
be  determined  by  their  frames  and  feelings — their  enjoy- 
ments or  sufferings —  their  light  or  darkness. 

Assurance  and  joy  are  not  essential  to  faith  ;  nor,  on  the 
contrary,  do  doubt  and  sorrow  prove  that  faith  does  not 
exist.  It  is  then  improper  language  which  we  sometimes 
hear — "I  know  that  my  sins  are  forgiven,  that  I  am  renew- 
ed and  sanctified,  because  I  am  so  happy." 

Happy  feelings  may  proceed  from  a  vast  variety  of 
causes  that  have  no  connexion  with  the  work  of  grace. 
Individuals  who  have  but  an  imperfect,  or  partial  view  of 
the  character  of  God,  the  malignity  of  sin,  and  the  nature 
of  the  law,  may  be  urged  to  rejoice  until  they  are  wrought 
up  to  the  highest  pitch  of  apparent  ecstacy,  while  they  can 
give  no  other  "reason  for  the  hope  that  is  in  them,"  than, 
that  they  feel  so  happy  !  You  may  sing  the  songs  of  Zion 
with  such  an  one,  you  may  meet  him  as  the  company  of  the 
prophets  met  Saul,  with  the  "psaltery  and  tabret,  harp 
and  pipe,"  and  the  same  spirit  may  come  upon  him  as  did 
upon  Saul ;  like  him,  he  may  be  in  an  ecstacy  during  the 
whole  day  and  night,  "speaking  of  divine  things,  and  singing 
hymns  of  praise,"  and  yet,  he  may  be  a  Saul  still.  He 
may,  like  him,  become  another  man,  yet  not  a  new  man.  He 
may  have  another  heart,  yet  not  a  new  heart.  He  may  sing 
the  songs  of  Zion,  and  yet  be  a  child  of  the  Devil. 

"Behold,  all  ye  that  kindle  such  a  fire,  that  compass 
yourselves  about  with  such  sparks,  this  shall  ye  have  of  the 
Lord's  hand,  ye  shall  lie  down  in  sorrow."  |     Your  joy  is 

*  2  Tim.  i.  12.  1 2  Tim.  iv.  8.  t  b.  L  1 1. 


SERMONS.  221 

like  the  crackling  of  thorns,  it  is  an  expiring  blaze  ;  and 
your  spiritual  illuminations  will  only  serve  to  light  you  down 
to  the  regions  of  darkness  and  despair. 

By  your  works  then,  by  the  character  we  have  already 
described,  and  not  by  your  feelings,  judge  yourselves. 
Would  you  know  a  good  tree,  you  would  not  judge  by  the 
circulation  of  the  sap,  nor  by  its  luxuriant  branches,  nor  by 
its  numberless  blossoms,  but,  by  its  fruit.  In  like  manner, 
would  you  judge  of  a  tree  of  righteousness,  it  must  be  by 
the  fruit ;  and  if  joy  be  found  growing  together  with  "love, 
peace,  long-suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness 
and  temperance,"  *  then  are  ye  of  the  Lord's  own  right  hand 
planting.  But,  if  joy  be  alone,  or  even  if  it  appear  first, 
suspect  it  as  the  degenerate  fruit  .of  a  "strange  vine." 

But,  as  joy  alone  is  no  sufficient  proof  of  grace,  so,  for 
the  comfort  of  those  who  mourn,  let  it  be  remarked,  that 
sorrow  and  desertion  are  not  sufficient  evidences  of  an  en- 
tire want  of  grace.  We  have  already  seen,  that  they  who 
"fear  God,  and  obey  the  voice  of  His  servant,"  may  be  in 
"darkness  and  have  no  light."  We  are  further  assured 
upon  infallible  authority,  that  "light  and  joy  are  sown"  for 
them.  It  remains  now  that  we  inquire  what  course  they 
must  pursue,  in  order  to  reap  an  abundant  harvest,  which 
is  the 

III.  Part  of  our  subject — viz.  to  give  some  suitable 
directions  to  those  who  are  under  the  hidings  of  God's  coun- 
tenance. 

It  is  obvious  that  sensible  enjoyments  are  not  under  our 
own  control.  It  is  our  duty  to  seek  them,  but  they  are 
rather  a  gift  and  a  reward,  than  a  duty  to  be  performed. 
We  can  no  more  bring  assurance  and  the  light  of  God's 
countenance  to  the  soul,  than  we  can  recall  the  setting  sun 
or  cheer  again  a  darkened  world.     Joy  is  an  effect  produc- 

*Gal.  v.  22.  23. 


222  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    \VM.    JACKSON. 

ed  by  some  happy  accident,  and  not  by  a  mere  effort  of  the 
mind ;  and  that  accident  or  cause  in  the  case  before  us,  is 
"the  light  of  God's  countenance."  It  is  not  right  then  to 
urge  the  self-condemned  or  deserted  soul  to  rejoice,  in  the 
abstract ;  but  to  regain  the  forfeited  expressions  of  divine 
favor ;  then  joy  will  spring  up  in  the  soul,  as  naturally  as 
light  and  warmth  attend  the  beams  of  the  sun.  Urge  the 
incarcerated  debtor  to  rejoice  in  his  chains — urge  the  dis- 
consolate disciples  to  rejoice  when  their  master  is  in  the 
grave — urge  the  sick  to  rejoice  when  nature's  best  gift  is 
snatched  away  by  the  cruel  hand  of  disease  :  the  sick  will 
reply,  "restore  me  my  health" — the  disciples,  "bring  back 
our  master  from  the  tomb" — the  debtor,  "cancel  my  debts" 
r — and  then  will  we  be  no  more  sad.  Just  so  the  disconsolate 
Christian ;  "Let  me  hear  the  voice  of  my  beloved — let  my 
light  come— then  shall  my  heart  be  filled  with  gladness, 
my  mouth  with  laughter,  and  my  tongue  with  singing." 

But  who  can  "command  this  loving  kindness"  save  God 
only  ?  And  yet,  there  is  a  proper  course  for  the  Christian 
to  pursue  under  such  circumstances.  This  course  is  laid 
down  in  our  text — "Let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
and  stay  upon  his  God," 

Thus  did  the  Psalmist  when  he  was  in  the  "depths." 
"I  wait  for  the  Lord,"  saith  he,  "my  soul  doth  wait  for  him, 
and  in  his  word  do  I  hope.  My  soul  waiteth  for  the  Lord 
more  than  they  that  watch  for  the  morning  :  I  say  more 
than  they  that  watch  for  the  morning."*  Faith,  as  you  per- 
ceive, keeps  him  from  sinking.  Like  one  in  perils  of  water 
in  the  night,  he  longs  for  the  morning  skies,  and,  with  the 
same  confidence  that  his  sun  will  again  shine. 

David  is  an  eminent  example  likewise  in  another  re= 
spect :  he  first  makes  confession  of  his  sin, 

*  Pa.  exxx.  6.  6> 


SERMONS.  223 

God  never  deserts  his  people  without  a  cause  ;  and  that 
cause  must  be  first  ascertained  and  removed,  oefore  a  well- 
grounded  trust  can  be  reposed  in  Him. 

Perhaps,  my  hearer,  some  sin  lies  at  thy  door.  It 
may  be,  what  you  call  only  a  "  small  violation"  of  the  Sab- 
bath, or  the  neglect  of  some  ''little"  relative  duty,  and 
God  is  writing  his  hatred  of  thy  sin  in  deep  and  piercing 
characters.  O  !  search  it  out  and  put  it  from  thee.  No- 
thing separates  so  effectually  between  God  and  the  soul,  as 
sin.  Avoid  it  as  you  value  the  smiles  of  God.  Yea,  ab- 
stain from  all  appearance  of  evil ;  for  so  long  as  the  va- 
pors of  sin  ascend,  the  light  of  His  countenance  will  be 
withheld. 

Perhaps  you  are  too  much  engrossed  with  the  concerns  of 
this  life,  and  you  make  not  the  glory  of  God  your  chief  aim  ; 
this  also  eclipses  His  face.  "  Them  that  honor  me,"  saith 
He,  "  I  will  honor,  and  they  that  despise  me  shall  be  light- 
ly esteemed."  * 

Perhaps  covctousness  has  a  secret  sway  over  your  heart. 
God  and  mammon  cannot  dwell  in  the  same  temple.  "  For 
the  iniquity  of  his  covetousness  was  I  wroth  and  smote  him. 
I  hid  me  and  was  wroth."  t 

Perhaps  pride,  either  in  learning,  fortune,  rank,  office, 
or  influence,  has  spread  a  secret  coil  around  your  soul. 
"  The  proud,  God  beloldeth  afar  off;"  but  "  with  him," 
saith  He,  will  I  dwell  "  that  is  of  a  contrite  and  humble  spir- 
it, to  revive  the  spirit  of  the  humble,  and  to  revive  the 
heart  of  the  contrite  ones."  $ 

Perhaps  your  companions  are  children  of  darkness,  and 
such  as  draw  your  soul  from  God.  "  What  fellowship  hath 
righteousness  with  unrighteousness  ?  and  what  communion 
hath  light   with  darkness?"*      "Come  out  from  among 

*  1  Sam.  ii.  30.  t  Isa.  Ivii.  17.  X  Isa.  lvii.  15.  *  2  Cor.  vi.  14, 


224  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.  JACKSON. 

them,  and  be  ye  separate,  and  then  God  will  receive  you, 
and  be  a  Father  unto  you,  and  ye  shall  be  his  sons  and 
daughters,"  *  and  He  will  smile  upon  you. 

Perhaps  your  recreations,  either  in  their  nature  or  their 
extent,  are  inimical  to  communion  with  God  ;  they  may 
clog  the  soul  rather  than  give  it  an  edge  for  devotion. 
"  Lovers  of  pleasure" — "  they  who  send  forth  their  children 
in  the  dance,  and  take  the  timbrel  and  harp" — say  to  God 
in  their  hearts,  "  depart  from  us."  Hence  "  their  candle  is 
put  out,  and  God  distributeth  sorrows  in  his  anger."  t 

Perhaps  your  sin  may  be  of  a  more  spiritual  nature 
still.  You  may  not  be  ardent  enough  in  prayer,  earnest 
enough  in  searching  the  Scriptures,  deep  enough  in  medita- 
tion, penetrating  enough  in  self-examination,  spiritual  enough 
in  your  various  religious  exercises. 

Now  God  seeks  those  who  "  worship  Him  in  spirit  and 
in  truth" — He  searches  them  out  as  it  were,  that  He  may 
"  manifest  himself  unto  them  as  He  doth  not  unto  the 
world."  It  was  not  long  after  He  saw  Nathaniel  under  the 
fig  tree — most  probably  pouring  out  his  soul  to  God — ere 
He  exhibited  Himself  to  him  "in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ." 
By  all  means  then,  dear  deserted  soul,  search  out  thy  sins 
of  omission,  and  put  forth  all  thy  faculties  in  God's  service  ; 
for,  "He  that  hath  my  commandments  and  keepeth  them," 
saith  Christ,  "  I  will  manifest  myself  to  him."*  Search  out 
thy  sins  of  commission,  and  put  every  evil  work  far  from  thee. 
Go  on  steadily  to  purify  thy  heart — "  Blessed  are  the  pure 
in  heart  for  they  shall  see  God."  If  thou  wouldest  have  the 
Lord  look  pleasantly  upon  thee,  let  this  be  thy  great  aim,  to 
"walk  in  all  the  commandments  and  ordinances  of  the  Lord 
blameless  ;"  and  then,  follow  the  direction  of  our  text  ; 
"  Trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  thy  God." 

*2  Cor.  vi.  17,  18.  t  Job  xxi.  11.  12.  17.  X  John  xiv.  21. 


SERMONS.  225 

1.  Trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  Trust — confide  in — you 
know  what  the  term  imports  in  common  concerns ;  it  is  not 
merely  venturing  as  a  last  hope  or  experiment,  as  the  ship- 
wrecked mariner  ventures  his  life  on  a  fragment  of  the 
wreck ;  but  it  is  that  confidence,  which  he  would  feel  on  a 
towering  rock,  whose  summit  was  never  dashed  by  the  high- 
est wave.  It  is  that  confidence  which  Noah  felt  in  the  ark, 
when  the  "  hoarse  thunder  roared  a  loud  onset  to  the  gaping 
waters."  He  questioned  not  his  right  to  use  the  ark  ;  he 
questioned  not  his  safety  in  it, — though  "  the  windows  of 
Heaven  were  opened,  and  the  fountains  of  the  great  deep 
were  broken  up."  and  neither  sun  nor  moon  were  seen  for 
many  days — for,  "  the  Lord  shut  him  in."  This  is  trusting 
in  God. 

Trust  not  in  yourself  or  in  your  own  righteousness.  Trust 
in  God  in  a  way  of  duty,  but  oh  !  trust  not  to  your  duty. 
Read,  meditate,  pray,  commune, — but  confide  in  neither  the 
one  nor  the  other,  but  only  in  the  "  name  of  the  Lord  ;"  for 
in  Christ  He  is  Emmanuel — "  God  with  us" — and  who  would 
build  on  the  sand  of  human  performances,  when  the  rock  of 
eternal  ages  is  at  hand  ?  Trust  in  God.  His  bright  beams 
alone  can  dissipate  thy  darkness.  "  The  moon  and  all  the 
stars,  cannot  make  it  day  in  the  world,  nor  can  means  and 
ordinances  make  it  day  in  thy  soul."  They  are  not  the  light, 
but  they  are  mediums  for  the  communication  of  that  which 
is  the  true  light.  "  The  Lord  shall  be  with  thee  an  ever- 
lasting light,  and  thy  God  thy  glory."* 

Trust  in  His  mercy,  it  is  free  ;  in  His  truth,  it  is  immutable ; 
in  His  power,  it  is  omnipotent  ;  in  His  wisdom,  it  is  infinite. 
By  His  wisdom,  He  knows  your  wants  ;  by  His  mercy,  He 
pities  ;  by  His  -power,  He  can  relieve  ;  and  by  His  truth,  He 

*  Isaiah  Ix.  10. 

15 


226  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

insures  relief;  for  He  has  said,"  Though  for  a  small  moment 
I  have  forsaken  thee,  with  great  mercies  will  I  gather  thee."* 

2.  "  And  stay  iipon  thy  God" — upon  thy  covenant  rela- 
tion to  Him.  Never  forget  that  He  is  thy  God.  Call  Him 
so,  though  He  has  apparently  forsaken  thee.  After  the  ex- 
ample of  Christ,  still  say  "  My  God  !  My  God !"  And  though 
he  frowns  and  puts  into  thy  hands  a  bitter  cup,  still  call  Him 
"  My  Father."  Though  you  walk  not  in  the  light  of  His 
countenance,  say,  "  He  will  command  the  light  to  shine  in 
my  heart."  Though  you  do  not  now  rejoice  in  His  name, 
still  hope  in  Him,  and  say,  "I  shall  yet  praise  Him  for  the 
health  of  His  countenance."! 

Trust  implicitly,  and  wait  patiently.  "  Stay  upon  thy  God." 
"  Though  he  tarry,  wait."  "  Let  patience  have  her  perfect 
work."  Not  a  moment  will  be  lost  by  patient  waiting. 
While  faith  says,  "behind  yon  cloud  my  Father  hides  a  smi- 
ling face" — while  hope  whispers,  "  shortly  the  Sun  of  right- 
eousness will  arise" — while  desire  longs  for  His  healing 
beams — let  patience  teach  them  to  wait  the  Lord's  time  ; 
"  for  the  vision  is  for  an  appointed  time,  but  at  the  end  it 
shall  speak  and  not  lie."| 

Thus  trust  and  wait,  and  the  issue  is  certain.  "It  will 
surely  come,  it  will  not  tarry."  "  Then  thy  light  shall  break 
forth  as  the  morning,  and  thine  health  shall  spring  forth 
speedily ;  thy  righteousness  shall  go  before  thee,  and  the 
glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  thy  reward."  $ 

"  Who  then  is  among  you  that  feareth  the  Lord,  that 
obeyeth  the  voice  of  his  servant,  that  walketh  in  darkness 
and  hath  no  light?  Let  him  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
and  stay  upon  his  God." 

But,  is  this  the  only  class  present !     Would  to  God  that 

*  Isaiah  liv.  7.        t  Psalm  xlii.  5.         X  Hab.  ii.  3.         §  Isa  58.  &. 


SERMONS.  227 

it  were  !  Are  there  now  before  us  those  who  are  in  the  dark- 
ness of  nature  ?  Who  enlighten  and  warm  themselves  by  a 
fire  of  their  own  kindling?  who  "compass  themselves  about 
with  sparks?"  who  place  their  hopes  in  their  own  right- 
eousness ?  and  seek  their  happiness  in  their  own  devices  ? 

What  shall  we  say  to  such  ?  shall  we  address  them  in 
the  keen  language  following  our  text?  "Walk  in  the  light 
of  your  fire,  and  in  the  sparks  that  ye  have  kindled  " — take 
all  the  satisfaction  you  can,  and  make  the  best  of  your  por- 
tion— but,  "this  shall  ye  have  at  my  hand,  ye  shall  lie  down 
in  sorrow."  Oh  !  we  feel  for  them  too  much  concern,  anil 
love,  and  tenderness,  and  by  all  that  is  dear,  we  beseech 
them  to  "seek  the  Lord  while  He  may  be  found,"  for  this  is 
their  happiness.  A  Christian  may  have  sorrows,  and  a  sinner 
may  have  pleasures ;  but  "the  darkest  state  of  a  saint  is 
infinitely  preferable  to  the  brightest  state  of  a  sinner.'' 
"Say  ye  to  the  righteous  it  shall  be  well  with  him,"  for 
"  though  weeping  endure  for  a  night " — even  the  whole  night 
of  life — "yet  joy  cometh  in  the  morning"* — in  the  morning 
of  eternity,  which  will  soon  dawn. 

But  "woe  unto  the  wicked!  it  shall  be  ill  with  him." 
"His  light  shall  be  put  out,  and  the  spark  of  his  fire  shall 
not  shine.  The  light  shall  be  dark  in  his  tabernacle,  and 
his  candle  shall  be  put  out  with  him."f  Then  shall  he  lie 
down  in  darkness,  in  the  blackness  of  darkness  forever, 
where  no  ray  of  hope  ever  comes.  Then  will  he  learn  that 
his  life  was  madness  when  he  preferred  the  ignis  faluns  of 
this  world's  joys,  and  honors,  and  profits,  to  the  light  of 
God's  favor. 

My  dear  hearers,  are  any  of  you  of  the  number  who 
are  under  this  condemnation,  that  though  light  is  come  in- 
to the  world,   they  love  darkness   rather  than   light?"     I 

*  Ps.  xxx.  5.  +  Job  xviii.  5.  6. 


228  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

speak  to  you  as  men  of  wisdom  and  candor ;  judge  ye,  I 
pray  you,  whether  is  better,  the  darkness  of  sin  and  ignor- 
ance here,  and  the  darkness  of  eternal  death  hereafter,  or 
the  light  of  truth,  and  grace,  and  peace  in  this  world,  and 
the  light  of  life  in  the  world  to  come? 

I  know  that  ye  can  discern  between  good  and  evil. 

Then  show  yourselves  men  ;  receive  the  light  in  the 
love  of  it,  and  walk  as  children  of  light ;  then  will  you 
experience  its  vivifying  influence  here,  and  when  you  are 
caught  up  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  third  heavens,  ye  shall 
always  bask  under  the  Sun  of  righteousness,  and  burn 
with  unclouded  splendor,  and  shine  with  spotless  beauty  as 
stars  forever  and  ever. 


SERMON  X. 

"  My  son,  despise  not  the  chastening  of  the  Lord  ;  neither 
be  tveary  of  his  correction :  For  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  cor- 
recteth ;  even  as  a  father  the  son  in  whom  he  delightetli." — 
Prov.  iii.  11, 12. 

Amongst  all  the  wonders  of  Providence,  nothing  is  more 
strange  to  the  eye  of  carnal  reason  than  the  dealings  of 
God  with  His  people.  Many  are  children  of  poverty. 
"  Not  many  wise  men  after  the  flesh,  not  many  mighty,  not 
many  noble,  are  called."  *  "  Hath  not  God  chosen  the 
poor  of  this  world  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the  kingdom 
which  he  hath  promised  to  them  that  love  him  ?  "  t  Many 
have  been  martyrs  for  His  holy  cause — "I  saw  under  the 
altar,  the  souls  of  them  that  were  slain,  for  the  word  of 
God,  and  for  the  testimony  which  they  held."  f  Without 
an  exception  all  pass  under  His  chastening  rod.  "  I  beheld 
and,  lo,  a  great  multitude,  which  no  man  could  number" 
— even  all  the  redeemed — "  of  all  nations,  and  kindreds, 
and  people,  and  tongues,  stood  before  the  throne,  and  be- 
fore the  Lamb,  clothed  in  white  robes,  and  palms  in  their 
hands  ;  and  one  of  the  elders  said  to  me,  these  are  they 
which  came  out  of  great  tribulation,"  §  &c. 

Affliction,  or  godly  discipline,  is  a  primary  condition  of 
discipleship  to  Christ.  It  appears  prominent  on  the  very 
front  of  the  gate  that  leads  into  the  narrow  way — "  If  any 

*  1  Cor.  i.  26.         t  James  ii.  5.  X  Rev.  vi.  9.  §  Rev.  vii.  6 — 14- 


230  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself  and  take  up 
his  cross,  and  follow  me."  * 

Of  all  men  it  is  truly  affirmed,  they  are  "  born  to  trou- 
ble as  the  sparks  fly  upward" — a  necessary  and  just  con- 
sequence of  sin.  Of  the  Christian  it  is  emphatically  said, 
"  In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation" — also  the  neces- 
sary and  just  consequence  of  sin. 

However  it  may  happen  to  others,  he  cannot  escape  ; 
for  the  love  of  sin  and  the  world  in  him  must  be  broken. 
"  Whom  the  Lord  loveth  He  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  ev- 
ery son  whom  He  receiveth."  t  "He  doth  not  afflict  will- 
ingly, nor  grieve  the  children  of  men."  % 

The  way  to  heaven  is  a  straight  way.  It  turns  not 
aside  for  any  obstacle.  It  deviates  not  for  any  imped- 
iment. It  meanders  not  for  the  pilgrim's  ease  or  pleasure. 
The  heaven-bound  traveller  must  pass  through  sloughs, 
through  rivers,  through  deserts  ;  he  must  ascend  the  highest 
summit,  and  descend  the  steepest  declivity  ;  he  must  be 
willing  to  tread  the  thorny  road,  and  pass  the  narrowest 
straits  between  the  deepest  gulphs. 

Mark  the  pilgrim  with  his  face  Zionward.  Now  you  see 
him  in  a  horrible  pit — then,  in  the  miry  clay.  Now,  in  the 
vale  of  trouble — then,  ascending  the  hill  of  difficulty.  Now, 
passing  through  the  fire, — then  through  the  flood.  Now, 
beset  with  wild  beasts — then,  with  men  more  wild  than 
they.  Now,  eating  the  bread  of  adversity — then,  drinking 
the  bitter  waters  of  affliction.  And  yet,  taking  it  all  in  all, 
it  is  a  pleasant  way  and  a  path  of  peace.  He  would  not 
exchange  it  for  any  other  way.  In  every  state  there  is  a 
hand  to  help,  a  staff  to  support,  an  eye  to  guide,  a  shield 
to  guard,  bread  from  heaven  to  cheer  his  soul,  and,  if  the 

*  Matt.  xvi.  24.  t  Heb.  xii.  6.  J  Lam.  iii.  33. 


SERMONS.  231 

tear  of  sorrow  bedim  not  the  eye  of  faith,  he  sees  in  bless- 
ed prospect,  a  "  crown  of  glory  that  fadeth  not  away." 

Let  it  not  be  thought  that  Christians  suffer  because  they 
are  Christians,  but,  because  they  are  sinners ;  not  because 
they  are  holy,  but  that  they  may  be  more  holy.  A  father 
chastises  a  son  not  simply  because  he  is  a  son,  but  because 
he  is  sometimes  disobedient.  "  God  dealeth  with  us  as 
with  sons ;  for  what  son  is  he  whom  the  father  chasteneth 
not  ?  "  There  is  this  difference  between  the  godly  and  the 
ungodly  ;  both  may  suffer ;  but  the  one  suffers  as  a  slave, 
the  other  as  a  son ;  the  one  as  a  culprit,  the  other  as  a 
favorite  ;  the  one  in  the  way  of  punishment,  the  other,  of 
salutary  discipline  or  chastisement. 

That  which  awaits  all,  it  behoves  all  to  be  prepared  to 
meet.  Afflictions,  like  fire,  have  a  two-fold  tendency  ;  to 
harden  or  to  soften  ;  to  consume  or  to  refine  ;  to  make  men 
better  or  to  make  them  worse,  according  to  the  material 
operated  upon.  A  man,  according  to  his  indifference  or 
due  consideration,  his  impatience  or  resignation,  will  find 
the  rod  a  "  savour  of  life  unto  life,  or  of  death  unto  death." 
Thus  Pharoah  hardened  his  heart  more  and  more  under 
the  most  awful  and  repeated  judgments,  whilst  David  un- 
der a  single  stroke  from  the  hand  of  his  God,  was  melted 
into  penitence  for  his  deep  and  aggravated  guilt,  and  con- 
fessed, "  I  have  sinned  against  the  Lord,"  and  justified 
Him  in  His  punishment. 

Under  suffering  the  mind  is  naturally  impatient ;  it 
ventures  to  indulge  hard  thoughts  of  God,  to  impeach  His 
government  and  goodness.  But  "  wherefore  doth  a  living 
man  complain,  a  man  for  the  punishment  of  his  sins  ?  " 

When  Providenee  takes  away  our  relations,  our  prop- 
erty, our  enjoyments,  may  we  be  angry  with  God  ?  O  ! 
no,  they  are  but  gourds  ;  and  shall  we  charge  God  foolishly 


232  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

because  He  has  taken  away  a  weed,  at  most  a  vine  ?  They 
never  were  ours,  and  if  they  were,  in  the  nature  of  things 
they  cannot  continue  with  us  long. 

Impatience  is  the  height  of  impiety :  it  is  practical 
atheism;  it  impeaches  the  justice  of  God.  "Men  imagine 
that  they  deserve  caresses  instead  of  rods,"  and  so  make 
Him  to  be  an  unjust  Governor. 

When  we  murmur  against  God,  we  make  ourselves  su- 
perior to  Him,  and  fondly  think  that  our  poor,  finite  minds 
could  have  ordered  our  own  affairs  with  more  wisdom  than 
His  infinite  wisdom  and  understanding. 

Impatience  is  rebellion  against  the  authority  of  God.  The 
spirit  that  dares  complain,  would,  if  it  could,  chain  the  hands 
of  Omnipotence,  hurl  Jehovah  from  His  throne,  and  take  the 
reins  of  government  under  its  own  control.  "  There  is  no 
sin  strikes  so  directly  at  the  attributes  of  God  as  this.  It 
aims  alike  at  His  goodness,  and  righteousness,  and  holiness, 
and  wisdom,  and  as  little  spares  His  sovereignty  as  any  of 
the  rest." 

Thus  did  not  Job,  when  the  waves  rolled  over  his  head 
and  almost  swallowed  him  up.  "  The  Lord  gave,  and  the 
Lord  hath  taken  away,  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 
"What!  shall  we  receive  good  at  the  hand  of  God,  and 
shall  we  not  receive  evil?"  such  was  his  language.  He 
spake  not,  he  thought  not  anything  unworthy  of  the  majesty 
and  righteousness  of  God  :  "  In  all  this  Job  sinned  not  with 
his  lips."  Impatience  is  not  only  the  height  of  impiety,  but 
it  is  the  depth  of  folly.  It  exhausts  the  strength,  drinks  up 
the  spirits,  irritates  the  wound,  and,  like  a  hammer  to  the 
dagger,  plunges  it  deeper  and  deeper  into  the  heart.  Im- 
patience !  what  comfort  did  it  ever  yield  ?  what  loss  did  it 
ever  repair?  what  wound  did  it  ever  heal?  nay — what 
evils  has  it  not  produced  ?     One  of  two  causes  must  follow 


SERMONS.  233 

as  its  bitter  reward :  either,  the  blows  of  the  hand  of  the 
Almighty  must  fall  still  heavier  until  the  stubborn  will  is 
subdued,  or  He  will  say,  "  Let  him  alone" — throw  the  reins 
upon  his  neck,  and  let  him  run,  like  a  wild  ass's  colt,  his 
mad  careerof  sin.  "  Let  him  alone" — take  away  the  rod  and 
reproof,  and  let  him  join  himself  to  his  idols.  "Let  him 
alone" — give  him  up  to  a  hard  and  reprobate  heart  forever? 
Observe,  my  hearers,  that  is  the  worst  judgment  of  all 
others,  when  God  hears  and  answers  the  prayer  of  impa- 
tience. Thus  He  heard  and  answered  the  impatient  Isra- 
elites. Tired  and  dissatisfied  with  manna,  they  demanded 
flesh  to  eat,  "  And  he  gave  them  their  request,  "  but" — oh  ! 
what  a  but  was  that — "  but,  sent  leanness  into  their  souls."* 
Lord,  send  me  any  plague,  and  continue  it  during  thy  whole 
pleasure,  only  answer  not  my  prayers  in  wrath.  Do  what 
thou  wilt  with  my  person  or  estate,  but  oh  !  send  not  lean- 
ness, and  blasting,  and  death  to  my  soul ! 

Some  receive  afflictions  with  stoical  apathy.  Philosophy 
may  tell  us  that  this  is  virtue  ;  but  revelation  tells  us  that 
it  is  folly  and  wickedness,  equalled  only  by  impatience  and 
rebellion.  Shall  God  speak  and  man  not  regard  it  ?  Shall 
He  come  from  His  place  to  His  strange,  "  strange  work," 
and  man  despise  the  rod  '?  Shall  God  whet  His  glittering 
sword  and  man  not  tremble  before  Him  ?  Behold  !  if  anv 
will  not  hearken,  God  "  will  set  His  face  against  that  man, 
and  will  punish  him  yet  seven  times  more  for  all  his  sins."t 
"  The  fire  of  His  jealousy  shall  burn  unto  the  lowest  hell."J 
"  Wherefore  humble  yourselves  under  the  mighty  hand  of 
God  ;"  "  why  should  ye  be  stricken  more  and  more  ?"  "If 
God  strikes  and  men  grieve  not ;  if  they  are  so  foolish  that 
they  will  not  know  the  judgment  of  their  God,  He  will  bring 

*  I'salm  cvi.  15.  t  Levit.  xxvi.  17.  18.         \  Deut.  xxxii.  22. 


234  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

seven  times  more  plague  upon  them  ;  cross  upon  cross,  loss 
upon  loss,  trouble  upon  trouble,  one  sorrow  upon  another, 
till  they  are  in  a  manner  wasted  and  consumed." 

It  cannot  be  necessary  for  me  to  tell  you  that  neither  of 
these  dispositions — neither  impatience  nor  indifference,  is 
the  proper  spirit  in  which  to  receive  chastisement  at  the 
hand  of  God.  "  My  son,  despise  not  the  chastening  of  the 
Lord  ;  neither  be  weary  of  his  correction." 

The  Christian  under  affliction,  should  be  characterized 
by  a  patient,  submissive  endurance  of  the  will  of  God. 
"Take  the  prophets  who  have  spoken  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  for  an  example  of  suffering  affliction  and  of  patience."* 
Regard  Job,  and  all  those  who  "through  faith  and  patience 
inherit  the  promises."  Above  all,  "lest  ye  be  wearied 
and  faint  in  your  minds,"  look  to  Jesus,  who  cheerfully 
"endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame." t  Observe 
him  in  the  sad  hour  when  from  his  a^onizino  frame  issued 
great  drops  of  blood — "He  kneeled  down  and  prayed, 
saying,  Father,  if  thou  be  willing,  remove  this  cup  from 
me;  nevertheless,  not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done."t  He 
felt — and  we  too  may  have  a  most  lively  and  j>ungent  sense 
of  our  sufferings  :  He  prayed — and  we  too  may,  must  pray 
for  deliverance  from  our  distress.  But  here  his  character 
shone  :  when  bruised  by  the  rod  of  justice  ;  a  world's  guilt 
on  his  head;  his  heart  broken  with  grief;  in  a  situation 
more  trying  than  we  can  ever  be  placed,  or  can  conceive, 
he  bows  his  will  to  the  will  of  his  Father;  "nevertheless 
not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done." 

Religious  resignation  implies  more  than  a  mere  suffering 
of  evil :  it  is  a  quiet  yielding  of  ourselves  to  the  whole  and 
entire  pleasure  and  disposal  of  God  :  and  all  this  we  must 

*  James  v.  10.  t  Heb.  xii.  2.  3.  I  Luke  xxii.  41.  42. 


SERMONS.  235 

be  willing  to  do  and  suffer,  because  it  is  His  will ;  conscious 
that  He  requires  us  neither  to  do  nor  suffer  any  thing,  but 
what  is  perfectly  wise  and  good,  yea,  perfectly  desirable. 
"To  render  our  resignation  entire,  it  is  indispensable  that  it 
should  be  unmingled  with  murmuring,  impatience,  distrust 
of  the  goodness  of  God,  or  any  dissatisfaction  with  His 
providence."  This  disposition  is  the  only  becoming  temper 
in  creatures  suffering  at  the  hand  of  God,  and  it  will  be  the 
aim  and  exercise  of  all  those  who  reverence  Him. 

The  reasons  or  grounds  on  which  the  Christian  is  led 
to  a  patient,  yea,  cheerful,  endurance  of  affliction,  we  shall 
reserve  for  another  discourse.  For  the  present,  we  shall 
content  ourselves  with  urging  the  duty  upon  you  by  a  few 
considerations. 

1st.  By  the  example  of  Christ.  "  Forasmuch  as  Christ 
hath  suffered  for  us  in  the  flesh,  arm  yourselves  likewise 
with  the  same  mind."  *  The  Holy  Ghost  hath  set  down 
for  us  the  persecutions,  reproaches,  buffetings,  the  agony, 
the  cross,  the  passion  he  endured,  to  encourage  us  not  to 
be  "  weary  nor  faint  in  our  minds."  You  know  that  he 
came  into  the  world  without  sin,  but  he  went  not  through 
it  without  sorrow.  Ought  not  we  then  to  suffer  with  and 
for  him,  who  suffered  so  much  for  our  sins  ?  It  is  meet 
that  we  should  follow  him  who  left  us  so  fair  an  example. 
It  is  meet  that  we  should  be  made  like  him  in  suffering,  if 
we  would  be  made  like  him  in  glory. 

2d.  A  patient  and  cheerful  submission,  softens  our 
sufferings.  Nothing  so  powerfully  composes.  God  does 
what  He  will  whether  we  consent  or  not.  Our  impatience 
hinders  not  His  purposes,  but  our  peace.  But,  if  we  will 
what  He  wills,  even  suffering  is  made  sweet  and  easy. 
This  is  the  secret  of  "rejoicing  in  tribulation." 

*  1  Peter  iv.  1 


236  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Shoot  out  bitter  thoughts  and  words  against  God  as  you 
will,  they  hurt  not  Him  ;  but,  like  the  arrows,  which,  it  is 
reported,  Caesar  caused  in  his  displeasure  to  be  shot  against 
Jupiter,  they  will  return  and  fall  upon  3^ourown  heads  and 
wound  both  deeply  and  dangerously. 

But,  "be  dumb,  open  not  your  mouth  because  God 
hath  done  it ;  "  that  will  blunt  the  shaft,  assuage  the  pain, 
and  ultimately  heal  the  wound. 

3d.  Patience  disarms  affliction. 

As  lightning,  according  to  some,  overthrows  every 
tree  but  the  laurel,  so  affliction  scathes  every  man,  but  the 
patient  man.  Be  patient,  and,  if  the  affliction  come  from 
God,  like  a  tree  shaken  by  the  storm,  it  promotes  your 
growth  ;  if  from  man,  it  falls  like  an  arrow  shot  against 
a  rock ;  if  from  the  Devil,  patience  quenches  the  fiery 
dart. 

4th.  Affliction  endured  purifies  from  sin.  "He  that 
hath  suffered  in  the  flesh  hath  ceased  from  sin."* 

Affliction,  simply  considered,  does  not,  but  affliction  sanc- 
tified does,  purify  and  disengage  the  heart  from  sin,  and 
wean  it  from  the  world,  and  the  ways  of  the  world.  "  Be- 
fore I  was  afflicted  I  went  astray,  but  now  have  I  kept  thy 
word."t 

Finally,  brethren,  possess  your  souls  in  patience.  Are 
you  a  servant  ?  Like  Jacob  you  may  have  a  churlish  mas- 
ter. Are  you  a  master  ?  Like  Mephibosheth  3'ou  may  have 
a  traitorous  servant.  Are  you  a  wife  ?  Like  Abigail  you 
may  have  a  profane  husband.  Are  you  a  husband  ?  Like 
Job  you  may  have  a  foolish,  wicked  wife.  Are  you  a 
brother  ?  Like  Jacob  you  may  have  a  merciless,  cruel 
Esau  for  a  brother.  Are  you  a  father  ?  Like  Abraham  you 
may  have  an  Ishmael  for  a  son.     Are  you  a  son?     Like 

*  1  Pet.  iv.  1.  +  Psalm  cxix.  67. 


SERMONS.  237 

Hezekiah,  you  may  have  a  wicked  Manasseh  for  a  father. 
In  all  these  conditions  of  life  let  ever)7  man  possess  his  soul 
in  patience.  "  Now  the  God  of  peace  strengthen  you  with  all 
might  through  his  glorious  power,  unto  all  patience  and 
long-suffering  with  joyfulness."     Amen. 


SERMON  XI. 

"  My  son,  despise,  not  the  chastening  of  the  Lord  ;  neither 
be  weary  of  his  correction :  For  whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  correcteth  ; 
even  as  a  father  the  son  in  whom  he  delightethy — Prov.  iii. 
11.  12. 

We  now  proceed,  as  we  promised  in  a  former  discourse, 
to  adduce  some  of  those  reasons  which  lead  the  Christian  to 
a  patient,  yea,  cheerful  endurance  of  affliction. 

I.  The  Christian  is  patient  in  suffering  under  the  con- 
viction that  all  affliction  comes  from  the  hand  of  God.  The 
common  dialect  of  the  world  is, — "  By  chance  such  an  ac- 
cident befell  me.  Through  inadvertence  I  sustained  such 
a  loss.  By  the  infamy  of  such  an  one  my  character  was 
blasted.  Through  imprudence  such  a  sickness  came  upon 
me.  All  which  may  be  true,  humanly  speaking,  and  re- 
garding only  second  causes.  But,  the  Christian,  taught  in 
a  better  school,  looks  beyond  second  causes  to  that  invisi- 
ble hand  which  guides  the  vast  machinery  of  Providence,  and 
according  to  his  own  will  and  pleasure,  determines  alike  the 
fall  of  a  hair,  the  death  of  a  sparrow,  or  the  dissolution  of 
a  world.  "  Affliction,"  says  Eliphaz,  "  cometh  not  forth  of  the 
dust,  neither  doth  trouble  spring  out  of  the  ground  ;*"  but  in 
their  number,  measure,  and  duration,  altogether  arise  from 
the  wise  and  righteous  appointment  of  God.     An  instance 

*  Job  v.  6. 


SERMONS.  239 

or  two  will  illustrate,  and  establish  the  fact,  beyond  all  dis- 
putes and  cavils  of  the  carnal  mind. 

Joseph  was  rent  from  his  father's  house,  and  sold  a  slave 
into  Egypt  by  his  unnatural  brethren :  but  what  says  the 
man  of  God  ?  "  Be  not  grieved,  nor  angry  with  yourselves 
that  ye  sold  me  hither  ;  for  God  hath  sent  me  before  you  to 
preserve  you  a  posterity  in  the  earth,  and  to  save  your  lives 
by  a  great  deliverance  :  so  now,  it  was  not  you  that  sent  me 
hither,  but  God."* 

Consider  also  how  Job  suffered  in  his  mind,  body,  and 
estate.  How  came  these  things  to  pass  ?  You  will  answer, 
"  The  Sabians  fell  upon  his  oxen  and  asses  and  took  them 
away;  that  fire  from  heaven  destroyed  his  thousands  of 
sheep  ;  that  the  Chaldeans  slew  his  servants  and  carried 
away  his  camels  ;  that  a  violent  wind  overthrew  the  house 
where  his  children  were,  and  buried  them  in  its  ruins." 
But,  the  man  of  God,  accustomed  to  search  out  the  sov- 
ereign and  principal  causes  of  events,  raises  his  thoughts 
to  a  higher  source,  and  how  answers  he  this  question  ?  He 
says,  "  The  Lord  gave  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  bles- 
sed be  the  name  of  the  Lord  !"f 

Take  also  the  case  of  David,  when  that  "dead  doo-,  Shim- 
ei,"  cursed  his  lord  and  king.  "  Let  me  go  over,"  says  Ab- 
ishai  to  David,  "  I  pray  thee,  and  take  off  his  head."  But 
what  says  the  suffering,  the  reproached  monarch  ?  "  Let 
him  alone — let  him  curse,  for  the  Lord  hath  bidden  him.":}: 
"  The  sin  of  Shimei  was  from  himself,  but  David's  affliction 
was  from  the  Lord,  and  Shimei  merely  an  instrument  which 
God  employed  in  correcting  David  for  good." 

We  might  also  adduce  the  case  of  David's  son  and  Lord 
in  all  his  sufferings,  which  the  sacred  historians  are  ever 
careful  to  inform  us,  happened  that  it  might  "  come  to  pass 

»Gen  xlv.  5,  7,  8.  t  Job  i.  21.  i  2  Sam.  xvi.  9—11. 


240  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

according  to  all  that  was  written  :"  but,  especially,  in  that 
great  tragic  scene  on  Calvary,  and  all  the  steps  which  lead 
thereto.  In  the  whole,  there  was  not  one  blind  stroke  of 
chance;  not  a  transaction  from  his  birth  to  his  death  was 
independent  of  the  counsel  and  foreknowledge  of  God. 
"Him,"  says  the  Apostle,  "being  delivered  by  the  deter- 
minate counsel  and  foreknowledge  of  God,  ye  have  taken."* 
And  again,  "  For  of  a  truth,  against  thy  holy  child  Jesus, 
whom  thou  hast  anointed,  both  Herod,  and  Pontius  Pilate, 
with  the  Gentiles,  and  the  people  of  Israel,  were  gathered 
together,  for  to  do  whatsoever  thy  hand  and  thy  counsel  de- 
termined before  to  be  done."t 

Seeing  then,  that  all  our  afflictions  and  troubles  come 
from  a  God  who  is  "  too  wise  to  err,  and  too  good  to  be 
unkind,"  ought  we  not  to  humble  ourselves  and  keep  silence 
before  Him,  suffering  patiently  all  His  holy  will  and  plea- 
sure ?  That  was  a  pious  sentiment,  uttered  by  good  old 
Eli,  and  worthy  to  be  adopted  by  every  child  of  God — "  It 
is  the  Lord,  let  Him  do  what  seemeth  Him  good." 

II.  The  Christian  learns  to  submit  to  the  will  of  God, 
under  the  conviction  that  his  punishment  is  less  than  his 
sins  deserve. 

His  afflictions  may  be  heavy,  and  sharp,  and  great ; 
they  may  be  diversified  and  strange.  To-day  he  may  be 
in  the  flood — to-morrow  in  the  flames.  To-day  they  may 
pierce  into  the  soul  like  fire — to-morrow  they  may  pass 
over  his  head  as  an  overwhelming  torrent.  But  the  rod 
has  a  voice,  and  He  who  sends  it  says,  "  O  man,  have  I 
afflicted  thee  for  naught,  and  chastised  thee  without  a 
cause?"  Forgotten  sins  are  called  to  mind.  Sins  un- 
known or  unheeded  before,  stand  in  dread  array  :  their 
desert  is  fully  apprehended  ;  and  the  suffering  Christian  is 

•  Acts  ii.  23.  tActs  iv.  27,  28. 


SERMONS.  241 

made  conscious,  that  if  all  the  miseries  of  all  men  were  to 
fall  upon  him,  he  deserves  them  and  more.  He  feels  that 
if  God  were  "  strict  to  mark  iniquity,"  he  must  quickly  be 
swallowed  up  in  the  depths  of  that  pit  which  burneth  with 
fire  and  brimstone,  where  he  would  hear  no  voice  of  com- 
fort, where  he  would  sfee  no  prospect  of  deliverance,  where 
it  would  be  judgment  without  mercy;  in  comparison  with 
which,  present  afflictions  are  but  as  the  crosses  of  child- 
hood, compared  with  those  of  riper  years,  which  commonly 
grow  with  our  growth,  and  increase  with  our  strength  :  or, 
as  the  trifling  accidents  of  life — too  insignificant  to  extort  a 
sigh,  too  pitiful  to  leave  a  trace  in  the  annals  of  the  mind. 
— compared  with  the  ten  vials  of  wrath  poured  on  guilty 
Egypt ;  or,  as  the  bubble  which  floats,  and  sparkles,  and 
bursts  on  the  bosom  of  the  deep,  compared  with  the  trou- 
bled ocean,  when  the  stormy  wind  lifts  up  its  waves  to 
heaven. 

All  which  might  justly  descend  in  one  accumulated 
load  on  our  guilty  heads,  and  we  not  then  receive  the  half 
that  our  guilt  deserves. 

Therefore,  to  sorrow  and  mourn  without  measure  in 
affliction  and  trouble,  is  nothing  less  than  to  show  ourselves 
friends  to  sin,  God's  greatest  abhorrence. 

But,  the  Christian  would  rather  suffer  than  sin,  there- 
fore he  patiently  submits  to  the  righteous  and  gracious 
will  of  God — righteous,  because  sin  deserves  it  all ;  and 
gracious,  because  in  "  wrath  He  remembers  mercy,"  and 
punishes  to  save. 

III.  The  Christian  resigns  his  will  to  the  will  of  God  in 
affliction,  being  strengthened  and  supported  by  "exceeding 
great  and  precious  promises." 

We  shall  notice  only  two. 

1st.  There  is  the  promise  of  the  Divine  presence.    "  When 
16 


242  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.   JACKSON. 

thou  passet.h  through  the  waters  I  will  be  with  thee"  * — not 
simply  as  an  Omnipresent  Being,  for  so  He  is  with  the  devil 
— but  as  a  God  of  infinite  power  and  goodness.  "Fear 
not,"  says  He,  "for  I  am  with  thee  ;  be  not  dismayed,  for 
I  am  thy  God;  I  will  strengthen  thee  ;  yea,  I  will  help  thee, 
I  will  uphold  thee  with  the  right  hand  of  my  righteousness."  t 
These  promises  imply  that  He  draws  nearer  to  His  people, 
and  is  "  with  them"  in  a  more  special  manner  in  their  afflic- 
tions than  at  any  other  time.  He  goes  with  them  into  the  very 
flames — so  He  was  with  Shadrach,  Meshach  and  Abednego. 
See  you  a  child  of  God  in  a  fiery  furnace  ?  Behold  !  there 
is  another  with  him  "like  unto  the  son  of  God." 

Christians  may  not  always  be  aware  of  the  companions 
with  whom  they  are  walking.  Like  the  disciples  on  their 
way  to  Emmaus  with  Jesus,  "  their  eyes  may  be  holden ;" 
but,  He  is  with  them  for  good.  They  may  lose  sight  of  the 
promise,  but  He  who  promises,  never  loses  sight  of  them. 
In  the  gloom  that  surrounds  them  they  see  nothing  but  sor- 
row rising  upon  sorrow  ;  they  hear  nothing  but  "deep  call- 
ing unto  deep,"  and  expect  nothing  but  to  perish  in  the 
storm  :  but  the  master  is  in  the  vessel,  or  on  the  wave  ; 
He  says  "  peace,  be  still,"  and  there  is  a  great  calm. 

See  the  Christian  calling  in  his  sorrow  upon  his  God — 
His  "God  lifts  upon  him  the  light  of  His  countenance,  and 
puts  gladness  into  his  heart:"  or,  He  sa}rs,  "my  grace  is 
sufficient  for  thee  ;"  and  the  sufferer  thinks  it  good,  even  to 
be  in  affliction,  if  his  God  is  with  him  there. 

He  thinks  it  better  to  be  with  his  God  on  the  cross,  than 
with  Satan  in  Paradise  ;  and  he  says,  "All  the  da3's  of  my 
appointed  time  will  I  wait  till  my  change  come."! 

2d.  The  Christian  has  the  promise  of  preservation  under 
all  calamities.     "  When  thou  passeth  through  the  rivers, 

*  Is  xliii.  2.  t  Is  xli.  10.  t  Job  xiv.  14. 


SERMONS.  243 

they  shall  not  overflow  thee,"  but,  thou  shalt  go  through  as 
safely  as  Israel  through  the  midst  of  the  Red  Sea.  "Iu  the 
time  of  great  water  floods  they  shall  not  come  nigh  thee." 
"And  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire,"  though  the 
furnace  be  heated  seven  times,  "  thou  shall  not  be  burned  ; 
neither  shall  the  flame  kindle  upon  thee."  *  Behold  the 
men  who  have  been  in  the  furnace  !  "  upon  their  bodies  the 
fire  had  no  power,  nor  was  an  hair  of  their  head  singed, 
neither  were  their  coats  changed,  nor  the  smell  of  fire  had 
passed  upon  them  ;"t  because  "they  trusted  in  God  "  He 
delivered  them.  Such  are  the  promises  by  which  the 
Christian  is  urged  on  to  the  exercise  of  patience,  and  neither 
"despises  the  chastening  of  the  Lord, "nor  faints  when  he  is 
rebuked  of  Him." 

Lastly.  The  strong  consolation  of  the  Christian  is,  that 
afflictions  come  not  from  God  simply  as  a  sovereign  and  judge, 
but  as  a  father.  He  chastises  not  because  He  hates,  but 
because  He  loves.  He  corrects  not  to  destroy,  but  to  save 
alive.  Every  trial  comes  with  this  inscription  upon  it,  "  All 
things  shall  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God," 
and  underneath,  "our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a 
moment,  worketh  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal 
weight  of  glory."|  They  shall  labor  and  work  together 
for  the  furtherance  of  our  faith,  our  hope,  our  holiness,  our 
glory. 

Joseph's  banishment  and  imprisonment  worked  together 
to  advance  him  to  the  highest  honors  of  Egypt.  The  bloody 
edict  of  Pharaoh  was  a  step  in  providence  to  make  Moses, 
first  the  son  of  Pharaoh's  daughter,  and  finally,  the  head  of 
the  tribes  of  Israel.  Yea,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself 
was  "made  perfect  through  suffering."  Even  so  the  cross 
and  tribulation  banish  sin,  and  help  forward  the  work  of 

»  Is.  xliii.  2.  t  Dan.  iii.  27.  %  2  Cor.  iv.  17. 


244  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

grace  in  the  soul.  "Tribulation  worketh  patience;  and 
patience  experience;  and  experience  hope."* 

The  Christian  under  affliction,  is  like  spices,  which,  the 
more  they  are  pressed,  the  sweeter  their  perfume.  He  is 
like  gold  in  the  fire  ;  he  enters,  perhaps  corrupted  with 
much  alloy;  the  dross  is  consumed,  and  he  comes  forth 
purified  and  fit  for  the  master's  use.  Or,  he  is  like  the  stone 
in  the  workman's  hand  ;  at  first  rough  and  shapeless,  but 
the  hammer  and  the  chisel  reduce  him  to  his  proper  size 
and  shape,  and  he  comes  forth  framed  and  polished,  and  fit 
for  the  temple.  And  when  he  hath  "suffered  awhile,"  he 
is  carried  to  heaven,  there  to  send  forth  through  eternal 
ages  a  cloud  of  incense  before  the  throne  of  God  and  the 
Lamb,  sweeter  than  an  offering  of  frankincense  and  myrrh. 
He  is  carried  to  heaven,  there  to  be  fixed  as  a  precious 
jewel  in  the  Redeemer's  crown.  He  is  carried  to  heaven, 
there  to  be  placed  as  a  lively  stone  in  that  spiritual  temple 
whose  "builder  and  maker  is  God."  He  is  carried  to 
heaven,  where  the  blessed  inhabitants  "hunger  no  more, 
neither  thirst  any  more  ;"  "where  sorrow  and  sighing  shall 
flee  away;"  and  where  "God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears 
from  their  eyes." 

Did  I  say  that  these  considerations  influenced  the 
Christian  to  patience  and  resignation?  Yea,  more — let 
him  fully  enter  into  their  spirit,  and  he  even  shouts  a 
hearty  welcome,  if  called  to  suffer  for  Christ's  sake.  "  We 
glory  in  tribulation  also  :"  saith  the  apostle,  "  knowing  that 
tribulation  worketh  patience  ;  and  patience  experience  ; 
and  experience  hope ;  and  hope  maketh  not  ashamed  ; 
because  the  love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  hearts  by 
the  Holy  Ghost  which  is  given  unto  us."  t 

My  brethren,  arm  yourselves  now  with  patience  against 

•  Rom.  v.  3.  t  Rom.  v.  3—5 


SERMONS.  245 

the  trying  hour.'     Lay  up  these  thoughts  in  store  against 
the  dark  and  cloudy  day. 

Remember  that  all  trouble  comes  by  the  special  provi- 
dence of  God  ;  that  the  heaviest  affliction  is  less  than  our 
least  sins  deserve. 

Get  your  minds  stored  with  God's  precious  promises. 
Especially  lay  before  your  minds  this  truth,  "  All  things 
shall  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God." 

Your  sun  may  now  shine,  but  the  dark  day  will  come. 
Your  mountain  may  appear  so  strong  that  it  cannot  be 
moved  ;  soon  it  may  be  carried  into  the  midst  of  a  sea  of 
affliction.  To  you  it  may  appear  that  trouble  creeps  "  de- 
crepid  with  old  age."  You  mistake — it  spreads  its  broad 
pinions  to  the  wind,  and  wings  its  flight  swifter  than  an 
eagle  to  his  prey.  This  night  it  may  make  the  world  to 
you  a  wilderness,  and  plant  your  steps  with  thorns.  And 
oh  !  not  to  have  the  "  preparation  of  the  Gospel  of  peace  ;" 
not  to  have  that  faith  in  God's  word,  and  that  love  to  His 
will,  which  alone  can  unable  us  to  submit  to,  and  bear  the 
cross,  is,  for  "  thy  hard  and  impenitent  heart  only  to  trea- 
sure up  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath  and  revelation  of 
the  righteous  judgments  of  God,"  without  strength  to  bear 
them,  or  a  friendly  hand  to  remove  them.  But,  "  if  ye  en- 
dure," patiently,  joyfully  endure,  chastening,  then  "God 
dealeth  with  you  as  with  sons."  "  If  ye  endure'1'' — a  mere 
suffering  of  chastisement,  which  is  common  to  men  and  to 
devils,  is  no  evidence  of  a  gracious  acceptance  with  God 
— but.  " if  ye  endure"  that  is,  with  faith,  submission,  pa- 
tience, and  perseverance,  and  "  faint  not,"  then  "  God 
dealeth  with  you  as  with  sons."  Then  it  is  a  broad  seal, 
set  to  the  patent  of  your  adoption,  "For  whom  the  Lord 
loveth  He  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every  son  whom  He 
receiveth."  * 

«  Heb.  xiL  6. 


246  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Welcome,  my  hearers,  welcome  grace  to  your  souls  : 
cultivate  faith,  cherish  hope,  foster  love,  exercise  patience, 
as  the  best  friends  in  adversity  or  in  prosperity.  Faith 
is  a  cable  strong — hope,  an  anchor  sure  and  steadfast — 
love  kisses  the  hand  that  guides  the  helm — patience 
is  oil  upon  the  troubled  waves  which  wreck  the  peace  and 
happiness  of  those  who  possess  her  not.  "Patience  dis- 
arms afflictions  of  their  sting,  and  deprives  temptations  of 
their  danger,  and  spiritual  enemies  of  their  success."  Pa- 
tience brings  in  her  train  experience,  and  hope,  and  joy, 
and  safety,  and  security. 

And  in  this  manner,  the  soul  is  prepared  for  that  state 
where  she  will  enjoy  "  peace,  quietness,  and  assurance  for 
ever."  Wherefore,  "despise  not  the  chastening  of  the 
Lord  ;  neither  be  weary  of  his  correction  ;  for  whom  the 
Lord  loveth  he  correcteth,  even  as  a  father  the  son  in 
whom  he  delighteth." 


SERMON  XII. 

ltAsfbr  thee  also,  by  the  blood  of  thy  covenant  I  have  sent  forth 
thy  prisoners  out  of  the  pit.  wherein  is  no  water.  Turn  you  to 
the  strong  hold,  ye  prisoners  of  hope  :  even  to-day  do  I  declare, 
that  I  will  render  double  unto  thee.'''' — Zech.  ix,  11.  12. 

Our  text  forms  part  of  a  prophecy  addressed  to  the  Jews 
at  the  approach  of  their  deliverance  from  the  Babylonish 
captivity.  Their  bondage  is  compared  to  imprisonment  in 
a  pit ;  their  release  to  the  sending  forth  of  prisoners  from 
so  gloomy  a  confinement.  But  it  has  a  higher  reference,  to 
which  this  bears  no  more  comparison,  than  the  stones  of  the 
temple  to  the  glorious  shekinah  within  the  veil. 

We  have  here  in  a  figure  an  affecting  view  of  man  in 
his  natural  state  ;  of  the  means  employed  for  his  redemption, 
and  of  the  benefits  resulting  from  that  redemption  ;  all  of 
which  we  propose  to  notice  ;  and,  in  conclusion,  because 
man}''  among  us — like  those  Jews  who  lingered  in  Chaldea, 
enamored  perhaps  with  its  greatness  and  splendor,  or  their 
own  ease  and  prosperity — still  remain  captives  to  Satan  and 
enslaved  by  the  beggarly  elements  of  the  world,  we  shall 
call  upon  them  as  "prisoners  of  hope"  to  turn  to  the  strong 
hold,  with  the  assurance  of  a  "great  recompense  of  reward." 

I.  We  are  to  look  at  the  affecting  view  given  of  man  in 
his  natural  state — "prisoners  in  a  pit  wherein  is  no  water." 
A  state  of  nature  is  a  state  of  bondage  and  imprisonment — 
the  fatal  consequences  of  man's  insubordination  to  the  laws 


248  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

of  God.  Being  a  transgressor,  he  is  arraigned  by  divine 
justice  ;  held  in  a  state  of  spiritual  thraldom ;  kept  under 
the  curse  of  the  law,  the  dominion  of  Satan,  and  the  power 
of  his  own  lusts.  As  a  traitor  against  the  majesty  of  heaven, 
he  forfeits  all  right  and  title  to  every  favor,  and  is  most 
justly  exposed  to  an  ignominious  end.  Sentence  indeed  is 
not  immediately  executed  on  fallen  man,  as  on  fallen  angels  ; 
but  he  is  condemned  already,  and  unless  a  mighty  ransom 
can  be  found,  nothing  remains  but  "a  certain  fearful  looking 
for  of  judgment,  and  fiery  indignation,  which  shall  devour 
the  adversaries."* 

We  shall  better  perceive  the  force  of  the  figure  used  in 
our  text,  if  we  glance  at  the  construction  of  oriental  prisons. 
In  the  inner  part  there  was  usually  a  deep  pit,  in  which 
indeed  there  was  no  water,  but  an  abundance  of  mire  and 
mud.  Accordingly,  we  read  that  Jeremiah,  who  was  cast 
into  the  worst  and  lowest  part  of  the  dungeon,  "sunk  in  the 
mire."  The}*  are  said  also  to  have  sharp  spikes,  so  placed 
at  the  top  and  bottom,  as  grievously  to  torment  the  incarcer- 
ated, and  prevent  their  escape — a  state  which  insured  to 
them  a  miserable  existence,  and,  in  the  end,  inevitable 
death. 

To  this  mode  of  punishment  there  are  frequent  allusions 
in  the  Old  Testament.  Thus  in  the  speech  of  Elihu  to  Job  : 
"He  keepeth  back  his  soul  from  the  pit."  "Then  he  is 
gracious  unto  him,  and  saith,  deliver  him  from  going  down 
to  the  pit;  I  have  found  a  ransom."!  The  allusions  in  the 
Psalms  are  numerous  and  interestino;.  "Be  not  silent  to 
me  ;  lest,  if  thou  be  silent  to  me,  I  become  like  them  that 
go  down  into  the  pit,"  J  that  is,  lest  I  come  to  a  miserable 
and  untimely  end.  Again  in  Isaiah,  "The  captive  exile 
hasteneth  that  he  may  be  loosed,  and  that  he  should  not  die 
in  the  pit,  nor  that  his  bread  should  fail."§     He  must  starve 

»  Heb.  x  27.  t  Job.  xxxiii.  18,  24.         t  Ps.  xxviii.l.         §  Is.  li.  14. 


SERMONS.  249 

and  die  if  not  hastily  liberated.  There  is  no  light  to  cheer 
his  eyes  ;  darkness  reigns  in  all  its  terrors  ;  no  bread  to 
satisfy  his  craving  appetite  ;  no  water  to  quench  his  parched 
tongue ;  "hungry  and  thirsty,  his  soul  faints  within  him." 

What  energy  do  these  facts  give  to  those  passages,  which 
speak  of  our  moral  condition  under  the  idea  of  imprisonment; 
imprisonment  in  a  deep,  dark,  miry  pit ! 

Yes,  my  brethren,  it  is  a  melancholy  fact,  that  there  is 
something  in  our  condition  by  nature,  strongly  analogous  to 
this  wretched  state.  Is  the  prisoner  we  have  placed  before 
you,  immured  in  darkness  ?  We  are  buried  in  the  shades 
of  mental  darkness.  Is  he  a  captive  in  chains  ?  We  wear 
the  heavy  chains,  and  endure  the  iron  bondage,  of  natural 
corruption.  Does  death,  certain  death,  await  the  poor  cap- 
tive ?  Death,  eternal  death,  stands  ready  to  receive  us 
within  its  devouring  jaws. 

This  is  true,  dear  brethren,  of  you,  and  of  me,  and  of 
every  one  that  is  born  of  Adam.  Yet  men  have  a  fatal  pro- 
pensity to  lull  their  consciences  to  sleep,  and  to  blind  their 
eyes  to  their  real  character  and  condition,  by  taking  delusive 
views  of  their  nature,  dignity  and  freedom,  and  of  the  am- 
ple range  for  their  faculties  which  nature  presents.  The 
habits  of  our  fallen  state  take  the  place  of  our  primeval  char- 
acter, and  we  become  enamored  with  those  very  chains 
which  are  our  curse,  and  shame,  and  ruin.  We  persuade 
ourselves  to  forget, — and  then  we  persuade  ourselves  to 
believe  that  God  forgets  too, — that  we  are  rebels  against 
his  authority.  Through  blindness,  through  insensibility,  or 
through  a  strange  perversion  of  our  intellect,  like  the  maniac, 
we  call  our  prison  our  palace,  our  chains  our  ornaments,  and 
vainly  imagine  ourselves  subject  to  no  control. 

But  what  is  our  boasted  dignity  ?     Nothing  better  than  a 
state  of  base  servitude  to  sin  and  Satan. 

What  is  our  pretended  freedom  ?     If  we  may  judge  from 


250  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

facts,  it  is  only,  by  renewed  acts  of  sin  to  forge  fresh  man- 
acles for  our  feet.  And  what  our  vaunted  sphere  of  action  ? 
The  narrow  confines  of  a  deep,  damp,  dark  dungeon.  We 
are  "  prisoners  in  a  pit  wherein  is  no  water." 

Why  do  we  beguile  ourselves  with  such  false  views  ? 
Let  us  rather  see  our  real  character,  and  look  full  upon  our 
danger  ;  and  then,  with  all  the  earnestness  which  ought  to 
characterize  creatures  whose  eternal  happiness  is  at  stake, 
let  us  inquire  after  a  way  of  escape. 

Jeremiah  found  only  one  way.  He  tells  us  what  he  did 
in  his  distress;  "I  called,"  says  he,  "upon  thy  name,  O  Lord, 
out  of  the  low  dungeon.  Thou  drewest  near  in  the  day  that 
I  called  upon  thee  :  thou  saidst,  Fear  not."* 

And  could  God  hear  and  deliver  him?  and  did  He? 
Yes,  He  did  ;  and  know  this,  O  !  fellow  sinner,  that  though 
thou  art  cast  into  the  lowest  depths  of  guilt,  remorse  and 
misery,  there  is  a  way  of  escape  open  for  thee  to  God.  "  He 
will  deliver  thy  soul  from  death."  Already  the  sorrowful 
sighing  of  many  a  prisoner  has  entered  the  ears  of  the  Lord 
of  Hosts ;  and,  "  according  to  the  greatness  of  his  power, 
He  has  brought  the  prisoners  out  of  the  prison  house  ;  and 
delivered  those  who  were  appointed  to  die."  He  gave  His 
Son  for  a  covenant  of  the  people  ;  that  He  might  "  proclaim 
liberty  to  the  captives,  and  the  opening  of  the  prison  to  them 
that  are  bound." 

This  leads  us, 

II.  To  notice  the  divinely  appointed  means  of  our  de- 
deliverance — namely,  "By  the  blood  of  the  covenant."  Not 
by  the  covenant  of  works,  nor  by  the  covenant  of  circumci- 
sion, nor  by  the  covenant  made  with  Israel  at  Sinai,  ratified  by 
the  blood  of  beasts  ;  but  by  the  covenantof  grace,  sealed  with 
the  blood  of  Christ,  called  here  the  Church's  covenant,  be- 

*  Lam  iii.  55 — 57. 


SERMONS.  251 

cause  it  was  a  covenant  made  on  her  account,  and  for  her  in- 
terest in  Christ,  her  covenant  Head.  Various  solemnities 
were  used  by  the  ancients  in  the  ratification  of  contracts  or 
covenants.  Sometimes  it  was  by  the  simple  union  of  hands, 
as  we  read  in  Ezek.  xvii.  18.  "Seeing  he  despised  the  oath 
by  breaking  the  covenant,  when,  lo  !  he  had  given  his  hand, 
and  hath  done  all  these  things,  he  shall  not  escape."  The 
Hindoos,  to  this  day,  ratify  an  engagement  by  one  party  lay- 
ing his  hand  upon  the  hand  of  the  other  :  and  among  our- 
selves, the  most  solemn  of  all  contracts  is  signified  by  joining 
hands.  Sometimes  a  covenant  was  ratified  by  erecting  a 
heap  of  stones,  to  which  a  suitable  name  was  given,  referring 
to  the  subject  matter  of  the  covenant.  Thus  when  Jacob 
made  a  covenant  with  Laban,  they  erected  a  heap  of  stones 
and  called  it"  Galeed,"  that  is,  the  heap  of  witness.*  Again 
it  was  by  giving  and  receiving  a  present,  as  when  Abraham 
made  a  covenant  with  Abimelech.  t 

In  the  18th  chapter  of  Numbers  we  read  of  "a  covenant 
of  salt,"  |  which  expression  refers  to  the  oriental  practice  of 
ratifying  their  federal  engagements  with  salt,  an  emblem  of 
incorruptible  fidelity  and  friendship.  Various  other  modes 
were  used  j  but  the  most  solemn  of  all  was  a  covenant  seal- 
ed with  blood.  Jehovah  instituted  the  bloody  rite  of  cir- 
cumcision as  a  token  of  the  covenant  between  himself  and 
Abraham.  And  in  the  Mosaic  constitution,  the  blood  of  the 
victims  slain  in  sacrifice  is  called,  "the  blood  of  the  cove- 
nant." In  like  manner  the  covenant  of  redemption  is  ratified 
by,  yea,  actually  founded  upon,  and  accomplished  by,  the 
shedding  of  blood,  even  the  "precious  blood  of  Christ,  as 
of  a  lamb  without  blemish  and  without  spot."§  Referring 
to  this,  our  Saviour,  when  instituting  the  sacramental  supper, 
after  giving  the  cup,  said,  "this  is  my  blood  of  the  New 

*  Gen.  xxxi.  47.      t  Gen.  xxi.  22—27.       t  Num.  xviii.  19.       §  1  Pet.  i.  19. 


252  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Testament,  (or  covenant)  which  is  shed  for  you,  and  for 
many,  for  the  remission  of  sins."*  Without  this  blood 
shedding,  there  had  been  no  covenant  of  grace,  no  pardon 
for  sin,  no  redemption  from  hell,  no  admission  into  heaven. 
See  what  a  price  was  put  upon  our  souls  !  nothing  could 
ransom  them  but  the  precious  blood  of  Christ.  See  what 
violence  was  done  by  sin  to  the  holy  law  of  God  !  nothing 
could  atone  for  it,  but  the  blood  of  Christ.  See  how  sin  had 
excited  the  anger  of  divine  justice  !  nothing  could  appease 
it,  but  the  blood  of  Christ.  Who  could  have  found  such  a 
ransom  ?  who  could  have  found  such  an  atonement  ?  who 
could  have  found  such  a  days-man,  but,  the  infinitely  wise, 
the  infinitely  good,  the  infinitely  gracious  God?  "I  have 
found,"  says  He,  angels  could  not,  man  could  not,  i,  Jeho- 
vah, "have  found  a  ransom."  Yes,  He  has  found  it,  and  to 
Him  be  all  the  glory.  But  what  is  the  nature  of  this  cove- 
nant ?  perhaps  its  terms  are  too  stern,  too  hard  to  be  com- 
plied with.  No — it  is  a  covenant  of  grace,  or  free  favor. 
On  the  strength  and  ground  of  this  covenant,  Christ  came 
"to  proclaim  liberty  to  the  captives,  and  the  opening  of  the 
prison  to  them  that  are  bound."  t 

Through  this  covenant,  all  who  have  been  saved  re- 
ceived the  blessings  of  pardon,  peace  and  reconciliation, 
and  found  admission  into  the  kingdom  of  glory.  In  virtue 
of  this  covenant,  the  ministers  of  God  are  sent  into  all  the 
world,  to  preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  to  every 
creature. 

But  is  it  an  abiding  covenant?  May  it  not  have  be- 
come null  and  void?  "Thus  saith  the  Lord,  if  ye  can 
break  my  covenant  of  the  day,  and  my  covenant  of  the 
night,  and  that  there  should  not  be  day  and  night  in  their 
seasons  :  then  may  also  my  covenant  be  broken  with  Da- 

»Matt.  xxvi.  28.  tls.  lxi.  1. 


SERMONS.  253 

vid  my  servant,  that  he  should  not  have  a  son  to  reign 
upon  his  throne"* — in  which  passage  the  reference  is 
to  Christ. 

Yes,  it  is  a  "  covenant  ordered  in  all  things  and  sure" — 
a  covenant  never  to  be  forgotten  or  broken — more  firm 
than  the  ordinances  of  heaven. 

There  is  a  covenant  of  nature,  by  which  it  is  ordered 
that  "  while  the  earth  remaineth,  seed-time  and  harvest, 
and  cold  and  heat,  and  summer  and  winter,  and  day  and 
night  shall  not  cease."  t  Thus  firm  is  the  covenant  of  re- 
demption in  Christ  Jesus.  While  the  earth  remains, 
Christ  shall  have  a  Church.  "He  shall  see  his  seed,  he 
shall  prolong  his  days,"  till  "  time  shall  be  no  more." 
O  !  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord,  for  the  gates  of  Zion  are 
open  still,  open  to  you,  open  to  all. 

III.  Let  us  notice  the  blessed  state  to  which  believers 
are  advanced,  by  reason  of  the  covenant  of  grace, — namely, 
to  liberty,  and  to  safety. 

1st.  They  are  brought  into  perfect  liberty. 

"  By  the  blood  of  thy  covenant,  I  have  sent  forth  thy 
prisoners  out  of  the  pit  wherein  is  no  water."  •'  If  the  Son 
therefore  snail  make  you  free,  ye  shall  be  free  indeed."  f 

The  liberty  of  which  sinners  boast,  is  an  imaginary 
liberty  ;  they  boast  of  a  false  gift.  The  servants  of  sin  fancy 
themselves  free,  only  when  they  have  broken  through  all 
restraints,  and  neither  fear  God  nor  regard  man.  Alas ! 
they  deceive  themselves.  None  are  really  free,  but  those 
whom  Christ  sets  free  from  the  love,  and  power,  and  curse 
of  sin.  When  Christ  by  his  power  and  grace,  breaks  the 
dominion  of  corruption  in  the  soul ;  when  he  takes  away 
the  guilt  of  sin  ;  when  he  removes  an  evil  heart  of 
unbelief,    and    renovates  in   apostate    man,  the   scattered 

*  Jer.  xxxiii.  20,  21.  t  Gen.  viii.  22.  t  Rom.  viii.  36. 


254  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

fragments  of  reason  and  virtue,  arming  the  soul  against  the 
fiery  darts  of  the  wicked  one  ;  when  he  sends  the  spirit  of 
adoption  into  our  hearts  crying,  "  Abba  Father,"  and  gives 
us  an  inheritance  among  his  children  ;  then,  and  not  till 
then,  we  enjoy  glorious  liberty.  Then,  and  not  till  then, 
are  we  really  free. 

Then  may  we  sing  with  the  Psalmist,  "  He  brought 
me  up  also  out  of  an  horrible  pit,  out  of  the  miry  clay,  and 
set  my  feet  upon  a  rock,  and  established  my  goings.  And 
he  hath  put  a  new  song  in  my  mouth,  even  praise  unto  our 
God."  * 

2d.  A  second  advantage  accruing  to  the  believer  from 
this  covenant  of  grace,  is,  safety.  This  safety  is  intimated 
under  the  idea  of  protection  from  a  pursuing  enemy.  The 
wicked  one  and  his  angels,  burning  with  all  the  malice  and 
fury  of  the  infernal  pit,  aim  a  deadly  blow  at  man,  and 
must  succeed  against  all  who  have  not  found  a  hiding- 
place  from  the  storm  of  his  fury.  But  Christ  is  an  im- 
pregnable fortress.  "  The  name  of  the  Lord  is  a  strong 
tower ;  the  righteous  runneth  into  it,  and  is  safe."  t 

The  Psalmist  accumulates  expressions  to  show  the  ful- 
ness of  his  safety  in  the  favor  of  Jehovah.  "  The  Lord  is 
my  rock,  and  my  fortress,  and  my  deliverer ;  my  God, 
my  strength,  in  whom  I  will  trust  ;  my  buckler,  and  the 
horn  of  my  salvation,  and  my  high  tower."  |  Can  salva- 
tion be  more  complete  ?    Can  safety  be  more  certain  ? 

Does  the  enemy  come  in  like  a  flood  ?  his  waves  dash 
and  die  at  the  base  of  the  believer'  s  rock. 

Does  he  compass  him  about  as  a  besieging  army  ?  His 
fortress  bids  defiance  to  all  the  assaults  of  earth  and 
hell. 

Does  he  shoot  against  him  with  a  bow  of  steel  ?  his  ar- 

•  Psalm  3d.  2,  3.  t  Prov.  xviii.  10.  X  Psalm  xviii.  2. 


SERMONS.  255 

rows  are  spent  before  they  reach  his  high  tower.  Emphat- 
ically, and  in  the  highest  sense,  the  believer  laughs  at  the 
shaking  of  the  spear,  and  thus  he  sings — 

"  Should  all  tho  hosts  of  death, 
And  powers  of  hell  unknown, 
Put  their  most  dreadful  forms 
Of  rage,  and  mischief  on  : 
I  shall  be  sare, 
For  Christ  displays, 
Superior  power, 
And  guardian  grace." 

They  who  know  the  Lord  as  the  God  of  their  salvation, 
and  learn  to  fear,  trust,  love,  and  serve  Him,  choosing 
Him  for  their  portion,  and  waiting  for  his  mercy  unto  eter- 
nal life,  through  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the  covenant  he 
has  mediated,  may  expect  from  him  perfect  safety,  and 
every  conceivable  blessing.  Nay,  words  cannot  express, 
nor  imagination  conceive,  all  the  Lord  is,  and  will  be  to 
them,  through  time  and  to  eternity. 

In  one  word,  "a Man" — the  man  Christ  Jesus — "  shall 
be  as  an  hiding-place  from  the  wind,  and  a  covert  from  the 
tempest ;  as  rivers  of  water  in  a  dry  place  ;  as  the  shadow 
of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land."  * 

O  believer!  give  thanks  unto  the  Lord  and  sing  praises 
unto  his  name.  Come,  make  the  only  return  in  thy  pow- 
er ;  acknowledge  and  declare  before  men,  the  goodness  of 
Jehovah,  ascribing  all  the  glory  where  it  is  due.  Come, 
"  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  and  pay  thy  vows  in  the  presence  of  all  his 
people."  t 

Come,  present  yourselves,  your  souls  and  bodies,  a 
living  sacrifice,  holy  and  acceptable  unto  him,  "  who  by 

*  Isa.  xxxii.  2.  t  Psalm  cxvi.  13  14. 


256  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

himself  once  offered,  hath  made  a  full,  perfect,  and  suffi- 
cient sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world."  * 

Think  much  upon  the  blood  which  sealed  the  covenant 
of  thy  redemption.  Then  "look  to  the  hole  of  the  pit  whence 
ye  were  digged,  and  to  the  rock  from  whence  ye  were  hewn." 
Then,  take  a  large  and  comprehensive  view  of  the  blessings 
resulting  from  that  covenant.  Think  much  upon  thy  liberty, 
only  "  use  it  not  for  a  cloak  of  maliciousness,  but  as  the 
servants  of  God."t  Think  much  of  thy  safety,  only  beware 
of  carnal  security  ;  and  let  that  grace  which  made  thee  free, 
have  all  thy  confidence,  and  all  thy  praise. 

We  turn  now  to  those  who  are  not  sensible  of  their  dan- 
ger ;  who  are  still  in  bondage  to  sin  and  Satan  ;  who  know- 
nothing  of  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  makes  his  people 
free  ;  and  who  declare  by  their  conduct  that  they  despise 
the  covenant  of  grace,  and  the  mercy  of  God.  How  large 
a  poriion  of  every  congregation  this  class  comprehends,  it 
is  melancholy  to  tell.  How  few  who  hear  me  will  lay  these 
things  to  heart !  How  many,  Gallio  like,  will  go  away 
caring  for  none  of  these  things  ! 

You  may  not  feel  your  danger ;  you  may  not  be  sensible 
of  your  wretched  state  ;  but  if  there  is  truth  in  heaven,  if 
there  is  truth  in  God,  if  there  is  truth  in  His  blessed  word, 
you  are  by  nature, — that  is,  as  you  are  born  into  the  world, 
and  as  you  remain  without  regenerating  grace,  in  a  condi- 
tion which  must  terminate  in  eternal  death. 

This  world  is  indeed  a  prison  house  to  the  ungodly. 
Their  corruptions  are  the  chains,  and  their  guilt,  the  deep 
damp  pit. 

Yes,  O  ye  unconverted  !  you  are  subjects  of  the  worst 
kind  of  imprisonment ;  but,  blessed  be  God,  ye  are  "  pris- 

*  Com.  Service.  1 1  Pet.  ii.  16. 


SERMONS.  257 

oners  of  hope."  They  who  are  dead  are  beyond  all  hope, 
but  for  you  there  is  a  way  of  escape.  Christ  sets  before 
you  an  open  door ;  he  comes  on  purpose  to  proclaim  the 
year  of  jubilee ;  and  to  you  he  says,  this  day,  by  the 
mouth  of  his  servant,  "  Go  forth  and  show  yourselves." 

He  represents  himself  as  a  strong  hold,  and  you  are 
exhorted  to  turn  into  it.  The  Gospel  recommends  you  to 
renounce  every  refuge  of  lies,  and  to  regard  Christ  as  your 
only  Saviour  and  Protector. 

Go,  fellow  sinner  !  go  without  hesitation,  without  delay, 
to  him  who  alone  can  deliver  you  from  the  wrath  to  come, 
and  bring  you  into  the  liberty  of  God's  dear  children. 
Behold— 

"  Jesus  ready  stands  to  save  you, 
Full  of  pity,  love,  and  power." 

Do  you  still  turn  a  deaf  ear?  Look  at  that  gracious 
promise  with  which  this  exhortation  is  enforced.  God 
strives  to  woo  you,  to  entice  you  from  your  folly  and  dan- 
ger to  Himself.  He  promises  that  you  shall  lose  nothing  by 
turning  to  Him.  "Even  to-da}'  do  I  declare,"  says  he, 
"that  I  will  render  double  unto  thee." 

"  To-day" — in  this  very  present  time.  Are  you  called 
to  mourn  some  pleasure  ?  He  will  render  double  unto  you. 
"His  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness  and  all  his  paths  are 
peace."  Are  you  called  to  make  some  sacrifice  ?  He  will 
render  double  unto  you.  "And  Jesus  said,  there  is  no  man 
that  hath  left  house,  or  brethren,  or  sisters,  or  father,  or 
mother,  or  wife,  or  children,  or  lands,  for  my  sake  and  the 
Gospel's,  but  he  shall  receive  an  hundred  fold  now  in  this 
time  ;  and  in  the  world  to  come," — amazing  to  tell  ! — "eter- 
nal life."* 

•  Mark  x.  29.  30. 
17 


258  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    W1I.    JACKSON. 

Art  thou  called  to  maintain  an  arduous  conflict?  "Be 
thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of 
life."  *  "He  will  render  double  unto  thee."  "  He  that  over- 
cometh  shall  sit  with  him  on  his  throne,"  and  receive  a 
"crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the  righteous 
Judge,  shall  give"  to  all  who  "fight  the  good  fight  of  faith." 
He  will  give  not  only  what  you  desire,  but  above  all  that  you 
can  ask.  "  He  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly  above  all 
that  we  ask  or  think."  t  There  is  no  doubt  of  this  great  recom- 
pense. "I declare  it"  says  Jehovah,  "  I  gave  my  word  and 
my  oath."  "God,  willing  more  abundantly  to  show  unto 
the  heirs  of  promise  the  immutability  of  his  counsel,  con- 
firmed it  by  an  oath  ;  that  by  two  immutable  things,  in 
which  it  was  impossible  for  God  to  lie,  we  might  have  a 
strong  consolation  who  have  fled  for  refuge  to  lay  hold  upon 
the  hope  set  before  us."| 

How  astonishing  is  the  condescension  of  God  !  How 
wonderful  his  mercy  !  How  unreasonable  that  men  should 
shut  their  ears  to  such  gracious  invitations  !  Would  \tou  not 
think  the  prisoner  mad  who  would  not  ask  for  mercy,  when 
his  judge  had  assured  him  of  a  full  and  free  pardon,  and 
complete  reinstatement  in  all  his  forfeited  priveleges  ? 
Would  you  not  think  the  man  beside  himself,  who  chose  to 
remain  a  prisoner  when  his  sovereign  proclaimed  a  general 
pardon  ?  Not  half  so  mad  as  thou,  O  sinner  !  who  refusest 
the  calls  of  God's  mercy. 

Beware  brethren,  beware  of  delay.  "  To-day,  while  it 
is  called  to-day"  hear  his  voice.  To-day,  you  are  prisoners 
of  hope.  To-morrow,  you  may  be  in  that  prison  where  hope 
never  comes.  To-day  the  strong-hold  is  open  before  you. 
To-morrow  the  gate  may  be  forever  closed.  To-day,  mercy 
stretches  forth  her  hand  to  lead  you  out.     To-morrow,  you 

»  Rev.  ii.  10.  t  Eph.  iii.  20.  X  Heb.  vi.  17,  18. 


SERMONS.  259 

may  be  led  forth  by  the  hand  of  Justice,  To-day,  if  you  go 
forth,  it  will  be  to  double  mercies.  To-morrow,  it  may  be 
to  double  pain,  to  double  ruin,  to  double  condemnation.  Flee 
then,  sinner  !  flee  for  thy  life  !  nor  stop  nor  stay  on  all  the 
plain  until  thou  hast  clean  escaped  from  the  hand  of  the 
Avenger  and  hast  found  a  sure  hiding-place  in  Christ  Jesus, 


SERMON  XIII. 

"  Honor  the  Lord  with  thy  substance,  and  with  the  first" 
fruits  of  all  thine  increase :  so  shall  thy  barns  be  filled  with  plen- 
ty, and  thy  presses  shall  burst  out  with  new  wine." — Proverbs 
iii.  9,  10. 

The  most  unwelcome  of  all  subjects  of  appeal  from 
this  sacred  place,  is  probably  the  duty  contained  in  the 
text. 

Yet,  it  is  incumbent  on  ministers  to  urge  their  people 
to  great  liberality.  The  rich,  we  are  to  "  charge  that  they 
be  ready  to  give,  and  glad  to  distribute  ;"  the  poor,  that 
they  "  cast  in  their  mite  into  the  treasury"  of  the  Lord ; 
and  all  men,  that  they  "  minister  as  of  the  ability  which 
God  giveth." 

Until  we  have  declared  this  duty,  we  have  not  declared 
the  "  whole  counsel  of  God  ;"  and  we  would  not  for  the 
world  that  any  should  charge  it  upon  us,  that  they  had 
not  visited  or  relieved  Christ  in  his  suffering  members,  or 
that  they  had  rendered  little  or  no  service  to  his  kingdom 
in  the  world. 

To  rouse  benevolence  from  its  slumbers  is  a  noble  task, 
and  would  do  honor  to  an  angel's  powers.  It  is  a  venture- 
some task,  so  deeply  seated  is  "  the  love  of  money  in  the 
human  heart."  Though  we  thus  speak,  ray  dear  hearers, 
we  do  not  intend  to  accuse  you  of  repugnance  to  the  sub- 
ject more  than  others ;   far  from  it ;   your  liberality  has 


SERMONS.  261 

often  "  abounded  unto  many  ;"  and  we  promise  ourselves 
a  very  patient  hearing,  the  more  especially  as  the  end  we 
propose,  is  not  an  immediate  call  upon  your  benevolence. 
We  earnestly  solicit  your  attention  to  the  principles  we  have 
to  lay  down,  and  as  earnestly  ask,  that,  if  they  be  found  to 
be  according  to  the  word  of  God,  you  will  adopt  them,  but, 
if  not,  that  you  will  reject  them. 

Most  of  us  have  done  something,  but  of  whom  can  it  be 
said,  "He  hath  done  what  he  could  ?"  Our  desire  is  that 
ye  may  "  abound  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  knowing  that 
your  labor  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord." 

The  doctrine  of  our  text  is,  that  we  must  serve  God 
with  our  property,  and  we  shall  prosper  in  the  world. 
We  shall  first  consider  the  duty,  then  the  promise. 
I.  We  shall  first  consider  the  obligation  we  are  under  to 
"  honor  the  Lord  with  our  substance,  and  with  the  first-fruits 
of  all  our  increase."  If  selfishness  and  the  love  of  money 
had  not  blinded  men's  eyes,  and  hardened  their  hearts, 
this  is  an  axiom  in  morals  that  would  have  been  self- 
evident  :  but,  so  have  they  darkened  the  understanding,  and 
congealed  the  affections,  that  men — aye,  Christian  men — 
will  scarcely  yield  either  to  revelation  or  reason. 

Though  such  a  one,  under  a  powerful  or  touching  ap- 
peal, may,  like  an  icicle  in  a  winter's  sun,  shed  a  drop  or 
two  of  benevolence,  he  soon  reverts  to  his  original  frigidity, 
and  remains  cold  and  impenetrable  as  heretofore. 

Indeed,  nothing  but  the  abiding  influences  of  the  Spirit 
can  effectually  soften  the  heart,  and  cause  a  perpetual 
stream  of  charity  to  flow.  May  holy  fire  descend  this 
day  into  every  bosom,  that  this  fruit  may  be  in  us  and 
abound  ! 

The  duty  under  consideration  is  enforced  both  by  rea- 
son and  revelation.     We  cannot  deny  that  God  is  the  ori- 


262  REMAINS    OP    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

ginal  proprietor  of  all  that  we  possess — "  The  silver  is 
mine  and  the  gold  is  mine."  He  is  the  Lord,  we  are  His 
stewards.  "  It  is  required  of  stewards  that  a  man  be 
found  faithful,"  but  he  is  not  faithful,  who  diverts  that 
which  he  holds,  from  the  purpose  designed  by  the  rightful 
owner.  He  is  the  king,  we  are  the  servants  to  whom  va- 
rious talents  are  entrusted,  "  till  He  come ;"  but  he  who 
consumes  them  on  "the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the 
eyes,  or  the  pride  of  life,"  betrays  his  trust,  is  an  unfaith- 
ful servant,  and  must  "  receive  an  unfaithful  servant's 
reward."  It  is  He  who  gives  us  whatever  we  possess. 
"  The  Lord  maketh  poor,  and  maketh  rich  :  He  bringeth 
low  and  lifteth  up."  "  Thou  shalt  remember  the  Lord  thy 
God,  for  it  is  He  that  giveth  thee  power  to  get  wealth." 
Reason  then  dictates,  that  if  God,  in  His  wise  and  inscru- 
table Providence,  has  made  such  a  disparity  among  men 
as  we  see  to  exist,  they  who  have  this  world's  goods  should 
be  ready  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  the  poor,  who  are  des- 
titute of  them  ;  for,  they  are  the  representatives  of  Him 
"  who  had  not  where  to  lay  His  head." 

Reason  dictates  that  if  we  possess  a  blessing  for  which 
others  are  perishing — and  we,  who  have  the  word  of  life, 
do  possess  richly  such  a  blessing — we  ought  to  make  them 
sharers  with  us.  If  a  country  is  to  be  defended,  or  a  fire 
to  be  extinguished,  reason  dictates  that  it  is  every  man's 
duty  to  do  his  share  towards  it ;  and,  we  add,  by  the  same 
rule,  if  the  sick  and  poor  are  to  be  relieved,  and  the  Gos- 
pel is  to  be  carried  to  all  the  world,  every  man  should  lake 
a  part  in  it. 

Besides,  there  is  no  real  good  simply  in  possessing ;  the 
good  consists  in  using.  The  man  who  is  poor,  and  yet  has 
the  heart  to  relieve  the  necessities  of  a  miserable  neighbor, 
though  it  be  but  with  a  cup  of  cold  water,  is  a  richer  man, 


SERMONS.  263 

and  has  more  true  enjoyment  in  the  little  that  he  possesses, 
than  the  miser  who  could  purchase  an  empire  with  his  gold. 
The  former  inherits  like  a  rational  being,  the  latter,  like  a 
mere  animal.  The  one  rises  like  an  angel  above  the 
world,  the  other  might  as  well  be  transformed  into  a  worm, 
and  be  doomed  to  crawl  the  residue  of  his  days  in  the  rich 
mines  of  India  or  Peru. 

Again,  as  Christians  we  profess  to  surrender  all  we 
have  to  Him  who  gave  it.  Our  souls  and  bodies  to  be  in- 
struments of  His  glory  ;  our  time  to  be  employed  in  his 
service  ;  our  faculties  to  celebrate  His  praise  ;  and  our 
property  to  feed  His  poor,  and  advance  the  interests  of  His 
kingdom. 

But  we  mock  God  if  no  portion,  or  but  a  small  portion 
of  either  is  actually  thus  employed.  Indeed,  my  hearers, 
it  is  the  principal  way  in  which  we  are  to  answer  the  great 
end  of  our  being.  There  is  no  glorifying  God,  no  enjoy- 
ment of  Him  here  and  forever,  but  by  the  real  consecration 
of  all  that  we  have,  and  are,  to  His  service. 

Reason,  therefore,  I  say,  dictates  the  propriety,  the  ne- 
cessity, of  "honoring  the  Lord  with  our  substance." 

Again,  according  to  the  economy  established  by  God  in 
his  Church,  it  cannot  prosper  and  extend  but  by  human 
instrumentality.  By  human  exertions,  under  the  blessing 
of  Heaven,  it  has  diffused  the  benign  and  saving  influences 
of  the  Gospel  throughout  a  large  portion  of  the  world  ;  and 
had  Christians  been  forward  according  to  their  ability,  we 
should  not  now  have  seen,  in  this  nineteenth  century,  six 
hundred  millions  of  our  race  in  pagan  darkness. 

We  profess  now  to  stand  on  the  tip-toe  of  expectation, 
looking  for  the  latter-day  gloiy  of  the  Church;  and  we  lean 
upon  the  sure  word  of  prophecy;  but  Christians  must  do 
vastly  more  than  they  have  yet  done  before  that  day  ar- 


264  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKSON. 

rives.  We  might  as  well  expect  to  see  our  forests  and 
deserts  crowned  with  the  golden  sheaf  without  the  labor  of 
the  husbandman,  as  expect  to  see  a  moral  wilderness,  more 
barren  still,  become  a  spiritual  vineyard  without  the  spirit- 
ual husbandman's  toil.  "  How  shall  they  believe  in  Him 
of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ?  and  how  shall  they  hear 
without  a  preacher  ?  " 

God  has  indeed  decreed  that  the  world  shall  be  filled 
with  peace  and  righteousness,  but  He  has  not  decreed  to  do 
it  without  means.  He  has  accomplished  a  way  of  salva- 
tion for  our  race,  but  He  has  left  it  to  us  to  make  it  known. 
He  has  sent  glad  tidings  into  our  world,  but  He  has  made 
it  our  business  to  proclaim  the  joyful  sound. 

I  mean  not  that  all  must  become  preachers  and  teach- 
ers, but  I  mean  that  we  must  all  either  preach  and  teach 
ourselves,  or  enable  others  to  do  it.  It  is  our  duty  to  build 
churches,  educate  ministers,  support  schools,  print  Bibles, 
send  missionaries,  and,  in  short,  use  all  possible  means  to 
extend  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  evangelize  the  world,  and 
save  souls.  If,  either  by  direct  opposition,  or  by  doing 
nothing,  or  by  not  doing  all  that  we  can,  we  retard  this 
glorious  work,  so  far  we  rebel  against  the  will  of  Heaven, 
and  oppose  the  best  interests  of  man. 

God  could,  no  doubt,  evangelize  the  world  and  save 
sinners,  independently  of  our  aid ;  but  it  has  pleased  Him, 
and  His  debtors  we  are  that  it  hath  so  pleased  Him.  "  So 
it  hath  pleased  Him,"  should  silence  all  cavils,  and  insure 
all  obedience.  Yea,  it  should  be  our  pleasure,  our  highest 
joy,  to  be  instruments  in  His  hands  to  accomplish  His 
gracious  purposes.  It  is  an  honor  angels  have  not :  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  passed  by  angelic  hosts  and 
put  it  upon  earthen  vessels.  Were  angels  permitted  to 
preach  the  everlasting  Gospel,  angel-visits  would  not  be 


SERMONS.  265 

"few  and  far  between;"  their  flight  to  this  lower  world 
would  be  like  that  on  the  morn  of  the  nativity ;  some  one 
of  swiftest  wing  would  first  cast  his  glory  upon  us  ;  but, 
"suddenly  there  would  be  with  him  a  multitude  of  the 
heavenly  host." 

Soon  should  we  see  what  John  in  vision  saw,  "An  an- 
gel"— yea,  a  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host — "having  the 
everlasting  Gospel  to  preach  unto  them  that  dwell  on  the 
earth,  and  to  every  nation,  and  kindred,  and  tongue,  and 
people."  And  shall  man  refuse  an  honor  that  would  grace 
an  angel  ?  God  forbid  !  Who  would  not  be  an  ambassa- 
dor for  God  ?  Do  I  not  hear  every  heart — at  least  every 
gracious  heart — respond,  "I  will  come  up  to  the  "help  of 
the  Lord."  I  am  ready  to  pour  out  my  gold,  and  frankin- 
cense, and  myrrh  at  the  Redeemer's  feet.  I  will  "honor 
the  Lord  with  my  substance,  and  with  the  first  fruits  of  all 
my  increase." 

Thus  reason  speaks  :  and  what  reason  whispers,  reve- 
lation thunders  both  in  commands  and  threatenings  ;  it 
gives  "line  upon  line,"  and  we  depend  more  upon  the  ar- 
tillery of  God's  word  to  carry  any  point,  than  upon  the 
whole  force  of  reasoning  ;  for,  where  God's  command  fails 
to  carry  conviction  to  the  mind,  and  to  subdue  man  to 
obedience,  reasoning, — even  upon  the  most  solid  ground, 
with  the  utmost  propriety  of  expression,  with  the  minutest 
precision  and  accuracy  of  thought,  and  all  the  glow  and 
graces  of  eloquence — is  but  as  the  shaking  of  the  reed 
against  leviathan  :  therefore,  we  should  always  make  the 
word  of  God  our  sword  and  shield  to  defend  every  point  of 
faith  and  practice,  and  our  battering-ram  to  break  down  the 
strong  holds  of  unbelief  and  subdue  to  obedience. 

Hear,  therefore,  what  the  word  of  God  hath  said.  "I 
command  then  that  thou  shalt  open  thine  hand  wide  unto 
thy  poor  brother,  to  thy  poor,  and  to  thy  needy,  in  the  land." 


266  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

Deut.  xv.  11.  "Give  alms  of  such  things  as  ye  have." 
Luke  xi.  41.  "Make  to  yourselves  friends  of  the  mammon 
of  unrighteousness."  Luke  xvi.  9.  "  While  we  have  time, 
let  us  do  good  unto  all  men."  Gal.  vi.  10.  "Charge  them 
that  are  rich  in  this  world,  that  they  be  not  high-minded, 
nor  trust  in  uncertain  riches,  but  in  the  living  God,  who 
giveth  us  all  things  richly  to  enjoy  ;  that  they  do  good,  that 
they  be  rich  in  good  works,  ready  to  distribute,  willing  to 
communicate."  1  Tim.  vi.  17.  18.  "But  to  do  good,  and 
to  communicate,  forget  not:  for  with  such  sacrifices  God  is 
well  pleased."     Heb.  xiii.  16. 

We  are  taught  that  one  main  stimulant  in  our  labors  and 
worldly  business,  is,  that  we  may  obey  these  commands. 
"Let  him  that  stoje,  steal  no  more ;  but  rather  let  him  la- 
bor, working  with  his  hands  the  thing  which  is  good,  that 
he  may  have  to  give  to  him  that  needeth."  * 

Obedience  in  this  respect,  is  absolutely  essential  to  the 
formation  of  a  holy  character.  "Break  off  thy  sins  by 
righteousness,  and  thine  iniquities  by  showing  mercy  to  the 
poor."t  Without  the  spirit  and  practice  of  benevolence, 
we  are  wanting  in  one  main  evidence  of  an  interest  in  sav- 
ing grace  and  heavenly  blessings;  "Whoso  hath  this  world's 
good,  and  seeth  his  brother  have  need,  and  shutteth  up  his 
bowels  of  compassion  from  him,  how  dwelleth  the  love  of 
God  in  him?"* 

It  is  truly  astonishing  how  much  stress  the  sacred  Scrip- 
tures every  where  lay  upon  this  duty.  To  commands  are 
added  examples.  We  might  begin  with  the  first  martyr, 
and  lead  you  through  the  tent  of  every  pious  patriarch, 
prophet  and  apostle,  and  you  shall  find  them  men  of  be- 
nevolence. Primitive  Christians  followed  their  course  ;  nor, 
blessed  be  God,  has  the  stream   of  practical  good-will  yet 

*  Eph.  iv.  28.  t  Daniel,  iv.  27.  1 1  John  iii.  17. 


SERMONS.  267 

ceased  to  flow  ;  indeed,  perhaps  from  the  beginning,  it  was 
never  fed  by  so  many  tributary  streams,  never  rolled  in  a 
current  so  deep,  and  pure,  and  broad,  as  at  the  present 
time. 

Few  or  none  of  my  hearers  will,  I  flatter  myself,  dis- 
sent from  the  general  proposition.  We  are  persuaded  that 
you  will  not.  We  have  a  pledge  in  your  practice,  and  we 
have  had  occasion  to  rejoice  in  your  liberality  on  many  oc- 
casions. We  are  happy  in  being  in  the  bosom  of  a  people 
who  have  taken  a  stand,  in  this  respect,  above  many  con- 
gregations ;  "  and  yet,  perhaps  a  degree  of  liberality  even 
far  beneath  the  scriptural  and  primitive  standard,  would 
be  regarded  by  most  as  a  prodigy  to  be  wondered  at,  rather 
than  an  example  to  be  imitated." 

We  are  led,  therefore,  to  a  second,  and  very  important 
point,  which  possibly  you  may  not  at  all  have  considered, 
viz:  What  proportion  of  our  substance  should  be  consecra- 
ted to  the  honor  and  service  of  God  ?  Although  it  may  be 
a  startling  question,  we  promise  ourselves  as  patient  and 
candid  a  hearing  on  this  as  on  the  former  part  of  our  dis- 
course. 

In  general  the  amount  of  liberality  is  measured  either  by 
the  natural  disposition,  or  according  to  the  impulse  of  the 
moment,  or  under  the  influence  of  ostentation.  But  these 
are  all  false  standards.  Neither  nature  nor  impulses  are 
proper  criteria  in  such  a  case ;  they  may  stimulate  a  man 
to  do  more  than  he  is  able,  and  they  may,  and  more  fre- 
quently do,  stint  his  liberality  beneath  his  real  means. 
Further,  they  are  no  proof  of  grace.  A  man  who  is  natural- 
ly liberal  may  be  as  destitute  of  grace,  as  a  man  who  is 
naturally  a  churl.  It  is  only  when  obedience  springs  from 
regard  to  God's  authority,  whether  it  accord  with  our 
natural  disposition  or  not,  that  it  is  an  evidence  of  grace  in 
the  heart. 


268 


REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    \VM.   JACKSON. 


Having  therefore  determined,  both  by  reason  and  reve- 
lation, that  it  is  our  duty  to  honor  the  Lord  with  our  sub- 
stance ;  and  having  resolved  by  the  grace  of  God  to  triumph 
over  selfishness,  and  thus  to  "honor  Him,"  the  next  point 
which  common  sense  dictates,  is  to  determine  how  much  we 
must  honor  God ;  for  he  who  honors  Him  not  as  much  as 
he  ought,  is  but  one  step  removed  beyond  him  who  honors 
Him  not  at  all. 

But  this  can  only  be  determined  in  retirement,  by  mature 
deliberation,  by  the  aid  of  the  word  of  God,  under  the  en- 
tire influence  of  a  conscience  rectified  by  the  spirit  of  God. 

Precise  directions  for  each  case  we  cannot  give.  All 
we  can  do,  is  to  lay  down  general  principles,  and  place  be- 
fore you  such  data  as  may  aid  your  private  deliberations. 
Much,  very  much,  must  be  left  to  your  own  consciences ; 
and  it  is  wisely  ordered  that  it  should  be  so,  because  an  un- 
varying  measure,  whilst  unsuited  to  the  different  and  often 
changing  circumstances  of  individuals,  would  have  a  ten- 
dency to  substitute  a  cold  compliance  with  an  exacting  law, 
for  the  spontaneous  tribute  of  a  cheerful  heart,  whose  free- 
will offerings  are  only  limited  by  the  restraints  of  dut}r.  It 
is  the  motive  alone  that  renders  the  gift  acceptable. 

Our  appeal  will  be  to  the  word  and  to  the  testimony,  and 
and  if  we  can  find  that  God  has  laid  down  a  rule  or  princi- 
ple, that  must  be  the  standard  of  our  conduct. 

In  this  part  of  our  subject  we  shall  avail  ourselves  of  the 
aid  of  those  who  have  studied  the  matter  before  us.  Dr. 
Cotton  Mather,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the  Churches,  says — 
"Let  it  not  be  thought  a  hard  saying,  if  I  tell  you  that  a 
tenth  part  is  the  least  that  you  can  bring  under  a  solemn 
dedication  to  God,  for  whom,  in  one  sense,  we  are  to  lay  out 
all."  "A  farthing  less,"  he  adds,  "would  make  an  en- 
lightened and  considerate  Christian  suspicious  of  his  in- 


SERMONS.  26  9 

curring  the  danger  of  sacrilege."  "  The  very  light  of  nature 
will  declare  for  it  that  the  great  God,  who,  with  a  seventh 
day  is  acknowledged  as  the  Creator,  should,  with  a  tenth 
portion,  be  acknowledged  as  the  possessor  of  all  things." 

The  same  has  the  sanction  of  the  heathen.  Pliny  tells 
us  that  the  Arabians  set  apart  a  tenth  for  sacred  purposes. 
Xenophon  informs  us  that  the  Grecians  had  the  same  prac- 
tice. Herodotus,  a  celebrated  Greek  historian,  who  lived 
some  hundred  years  before  the  Christian  era,  confirms  the 
same.  Festus,  a  celebrated  grammarian  of  antiquity,  says, 
"the  ancients  offered  to  the  gods  a  tenth  of  every  thing." 

But  what  reason  sanctions,  and  what  seems  to  have  been 
received  as  a  law  among  the  pagans,  certainly  was  the  law  of 
God.  "All  the  tithes  of  the  land,  whether  of  the  seed  of  the 
land,  or  of  the  fruits  of  the  tree,  is  the  Lord's  :  it  is  holy  unto 
the  Lord."  * 

But,  an  objection  may  be  urged,  on  the  ground  that  the 
ceremonial  law  is  abolished,  and  that  therefore  this  obliga- 
tion is  abolished  with  it.  This  however  remains  to  be 
proved.  Let  us  go  back  a  little  further  in  the  annals  of  the 
Church,  and  see  whether  it  had  not  its  origin  prior  to  the 
giving  of  the  Law.  If  so,  then  it  follows  of  course,  that  it 
requires  another  act  of  the  Lawgiver  to  make  it  null,  besides 
that  which  made  void  the  Jewish  code. 

This  may  may  be  taken  for  a  rule,  that  whatever  existed 
before  the  law,  as  well  as  under  the  law,  exists  under  the 
Gospel ;  that  is,  if  it  have  either  the  express  or  implied 
sanction  of  Christ,  and  if  there  be  the  same  necessity  for  the 
practice  now  as  then.  For  instance,  the  Sabbath,  infant 
membership,  &c. 

We  appeal  with  no  little  confidence  to  Gen.  xiv.  20, 
where  we  are  informed  that  "Abram  gave  to  Melchisedec 

•Lev.  xxvii.  30, 


270  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

a  tenth  of  all."  "Christ  is  a  Priest  after  the  order  of  Mel- 
chisedec,"  of  course  the  rights  of  Melchisedec  belong  to 
Christ ;  the  tenth  was  the  right  of  Melchisedec,  therefore  it 
is  the  right  of  Christ.  "I  do  in  my  conscience  believe," 
says  the  divine  before  quoted,  "that  this  is  an  argument 
which  cannot  be  answered." 

If,  my  hearers,  there  is  an  analogy  between  the  type 
Melchisedec,  and  the  anti-type  Christ,  there  must  also  be 
the  same  between  the  father  of  the  faithful  and  his  believing 
children ;  and  it  may  well  be  questioned  whether  we  are 
his  children,  so  long  as  we  do  not  resemble  him  in  our 
works ;  for  "by  works  a  man  is  justified,  and  not  by  faith 
only."  "Seeth  thou  how  faith  wrought  with  his  (Abraham's) 
works,  and  by  works  was  faith  made  perfect."* 

The  next  case  we  refer  to  is  Jacob's  vow  at  Bethel ; 
"of  all  that  thou  sh  alt  give  me,  I  will  surely  give  the  tenth  unto 
thee."  t  And,  if  we  do  not  follow  his  example,  we  do  not 
sufficiently  declare  that  the  Lord  is  our  God,  and  that  we 
are  "Israelites  indeed." 

"Whether  Abraham  and  Jacob  consecrated  a  tenth  by 
special  command,  or  whether  it  was  a  free-will  offering,  it 
answers  our  purpose  equally  well  to  prove  that  God  must  be 
honored  with  our  substance,  that  it  is  highly  expedient  to 
adopt  a  system,  and  that  a  tenth  of  all  that  God  gives  us  is 
a  very  reasonable  proportion  to  return  into  His  treasury. 

It  may  still  be  asked,  whether  the  New  Testament  has 
not  broken  down  the  tithing  system  ?  We  answer,  that  we 
think  it  has  so  far  as  this,  that  no  man  or  body  of  men,  has 
a  right  to  take  it  without  our  own  consent.  But,  so  far  from 
diminishing,  it  has  increased  the  obligation  to  "honor  the 
Lord  with  our  substance."  Its  language  is,  "Let  every  one 
layby  him  in  store  as  God  hath  prospered  him."  t   "If  any 

•  James  iv.  22.  24.  t  Gen.  xxviii.  22.  X  1  Cor.  xvi.  2. 


SERMONS.  271 

man  minister,  let  him  do  it  as  of  the  ability  which  God 
giveth."*  "Therefore, as  ye  abound  in  every  thing,  in  faith, 
and  utterance,  and  knowledge,  and  in  all  diligence,  and  in 
your  love  to  us,  see  that  ye  abound  in  this  grace  also,"! 
i.  e.  in  liberality  to  poor  saints  ;  and  this  he  lays  down  as  a 
proof  of  "the  sincerity  of  their  love,"  and  he  enforces  it  by 
an  argument  to  which  patriarchs  and  Old  Testament  saints 
were  strangers,  "For,"  says  he,  "ye  know  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  yoursakes 
he  became  poor,  that  ye,  through  his  poverty  might  be  rich." 
As  much  as  to  say,  "we  do  not  ask  it  as  an  alms,  but  as  an 
incumbent  duty — the  payment  of  a  debt — the  return  of 
gratitude  due  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

The  New  Testament  examples  are,  Zaccheus,  who  gave 
"half  of  his  goods  "  to  the  poor  ;  the  poor  widow,  who  cast 
into  the  treasury  "all  her  living;"  and  the  disciples,  who 
"sold  their  possessions  and  goods"  and  gave  to  those  who 
had  need. 

It  may  be  asked  again,  whether  a  tenth  is  positively  re- 
quired from  every  individual  ?  We  are  not  prepared  to 
affirm  that  it  is  ;  there  may  be  cases  when  it  is  justifiable 
to  contribute  less.  The  New  Testament  rule  is,  "  As  of  the 
ability  which  God  giveth :"  but  we  must  be  careful,  specially 
careful,  that  it  is  accordhig  to  that  ability.  It  is  a  matter  in 
which  we  must  be  punctiliously  honest,  remembering  the 
words  already  quoted,  "  A  farthing  less  than  a  tenth  would 
make  an  enlightened  and  considerate  Christian  suspicousof 
incurring  the  danger  of  sacrilege."  In  determining  this 
point,  we  should  remember  the  words  of  God  :  "  Will  a  man 
rob  God?  yet  ye  have  robbed  me.  But  ye  say,  wherein 
have  we  robbed  thee  ?     In  tithes  and  offerings.     Ye  are 

•IPetiv.  11.  1 1  Cor.  viii.  7.  8.  9, 


272  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

cursed  with  a  curse  :  for  ye  have  robbed  me,  even  this  whole 
nation."* 

In  making  this  estimate,  think  of  the  Jews.  They,  with 
their  imperfect  light  and  their  greatly  inferior  privileges,  de- 
voted to  holy  uses  at  least  the  tenth  of  their  substance.  And 
shall  Christians,  who  live  in  the  full  splendor  of  Gospel  light, 
do  less  for  God  than  did  the  Jews  ? 

All  papal  dominions  have,  I  believe,  followed  their  exam- 
ple ;  and  shall  Protestants,  who  possess  a  purer  faith,  be  less 
abundant  in  good  works  ?  Most  European  Protestants  are. 
under  the  same  law,  besides  their  enormous  taxes  and  vol- 
untary contributions,  and  shall  it  be  said  of  American  Pro- 
testants that  they  are  more  stinted  in  their  liberality  than  all 
others  9  The  very  pagans  are  constrained  to  offer  not  less 
than  this  proportion  to  their  imaginary  deities  ;  and  shall  it 
be  said  that  Christians  do  less  for  their  God  than  the  Hea- 
then do  for  idols  of  wood  and  stone  ? 

O,  let  it  not  be  said,  that  pagans  and  Mahometans, 
Papists  and  European  Christians,  do  more  for  the  God  whom 
they  serve  than  do  American  Christians.  If  we  do  allow 
this,  we  shall  at  once  bring  a  reproach  upon  our  profession 
and  upon  our  free  institutions,  and  the  world  will  not  believe 
that  men  are  better  without,  religous  establishments. 

Whilst  we  allow  that  a  tenth  may,  in  some  cases,  be 
beyond  men's  ability,  in  others  it  falls  below  it,  much  be- 
low it.  "  To  whom  much  is  given,"  of  him  much  is  re- 
quired. Some  Christians  have  thus  consecrated  a  seventh, 
a  fifth,  a  third,  the  half — as  did  Zaccheus  ;  and  others,  hav- 
ing obtained  a  moderate  and  competent  estate,  have  resolved 
never  to  be  richer — not  by  sitting  down  in  idleness,  but  by 
devoting  to  pious  purposes  whatever  profits  accrued  from 
their  business  above  the  fixed  sum. 

*  Mai.  iii.  8, 9. 


SERMONS.  273 

I 

We  do  not  pretend  to  dictate  to  any  individual  how 
much  he  must  give.  We  only  say  that  he  must  give,  and 
should  do  it  systematically,  and  then  the  proportion  is  a  mat- 
ter between  God  and  his  own  soul. 

Let  your  consciences  determine  this  by  the  light  of  an- 
cient examples,  ancient  laws,  and  ancient  Christianit}>\ 
But  be  honest — be  honest,  my  dear  hearers — be  honest.  If 
you  fail  to  be  honest  you  rob  God,  and  His  Church,  and 
His  poor  saints.  If  you  lie  here,  you  lie  "not  unto  men, 
but  unto  God."  Let  each  have  such  a  charity  account  as 
he  would  not  blush  to  exhibit,  when  called  for  at  the  last 
day,  before  an  assembled  universe  ;  and  remember,  that  it 
will  be  exhibited. 

We  dare  not  flatter  ourselves,  that  we  have  proselyted 
to  our  sentiments  all,  or  any  considerable  number  of  those 
whom  we  are  addressing  :  if  we  have  succeeded  in  convinc- 
ing any,  we  have  our  reward.  We  are  sensible  that  in  any 
congregation,  with  most  hearers,  it  is  a  topic  opposed  by 
habits,  stronger  than  five  barred  gates  of  brass  ;  by  preju- 
dice, a  barrier  high  and  formidable  as  the  Alps ;  by 
penuriousness,  stinted  and  barren  as  the  flinty  rock  ;  by 
covctousness,  greedy  as  the  grave ;  and  by  unbelief,  the 
worst  of  the  train.  Such  are  the  unclean  spirits  which 
possess  men  in  our  day  ;  their  name  is  Legion  ;  their  cry 
is,  "What  have  we  to  do  with  thee?"  Where  they  dwell 
they  have  too  firm  a  hold  to  be  cast  out  by  human  strength. 
If  they  possess  any  of  us,  may  He  who  commands  the  de- 
vils and  they  obey  Him,  eject  them  from  us  ;  then  shall  we 
be  in  a  right  mind  to  decide  this  point,  and  to  follow  Him 
in  this  way  of  duty. 

Some  will  say  that  they  are  too  poor  to  do  any  thing. 
Are  you  poorer  than  the  woman  with  the  two  mites  ?   And 
IS 


274  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

are  you  quite  sure  that  your  poverty  does  not  arise  from 
your  indolence  ;  and  your  indolence,  like  the  unjust  stew- 
ard, from  your  pride  ?  Are  you  sure  it  does  not  arise  from 
extravagance  in  yourselves  or  in  }-our  families?  I  cannot 
believe,  whilst  it  is  written  that  "  the  hand  of  the  diligent 
maketh  fat,"  that  persevering  industry,  and  rigid  economy, 
under  ordinary  circumstances,  will  leave  an  individual  too 
poor  to  obey  a  divine  command. 

Some  will  say  that  they  must  pay  their  just  debts,  and 
therefore  they  cannot  exercise  liberality — that  they  must 
be  "just  before  they  are  generous."  Be  careful  that  these 
hackneyed  proverbs  do  not  blind  your  eyes,  turn  you  from 
your  duties,  and  so  win  your  souls.  Remember  too,  that 
God  is  one  of  your  creditors,  you  owe  Him  something. 
Rather  say,  I  must  be  just  and  generous. 

Some  will  say  that  they  do  not  know  what  their  income 
is,  and  therefore  they  cannot  set  apart  a  regular  portion. 

We  answer  that  you  ought  to  know.  I  suppose  that  if 
you  had  a  partner  in  your  business,  who  was  to  have  a 
tenth  of  the  pro6t,  some  method  would  be  contrived  to 
ascertain  the  amount.  Consider  God  as  that  partner. 
Besides,  if  you  do  not  know  how  much  you  have  for  God, 
how  can  you  tell  how  much  you  have  for  your  creditors, 
and  how  much  for  your  families?  A  good  merchant  should 
blush  to  make  such  an  acknowledgment. 

Many  farmers  have  relieved  themselves  from  this  diffi- 
culty by  cultivating  a  certain  portion  of  land  for  this  pur- 
pose, which  they  have  religiously  consecrated  to  God. 

Some  mechanics  have  set  apart  a  portion  of  their 
time,  the  avails  of  which  they  present  as  an  offering  to  the 
Lord. 

Individuals  with  fixed  salaries  and  incomes,  can  have 


SERMONS.  275 

no  difficulty  in  determining  this  matter.  In  short,  a  ten- 
der conscience,  bent  upon  obedience,  will  easily  devise 
ways  and  means  to  discharge  its  duty.  It  may  increase 
trouble,  it  may  call  for  self-denial,  but  what  are  they  when 
duty  and  the  soul  are  at  stake  ? 

As  to  the  objects  to  which  your  beneficence  should  be 
applied,  your  own  judgment  will  direct.  Great  discrimi- 
nation however  is  necessar}*.  The  interests  of  our  own 
Church,  and  that  particular  section  of  it  to  which  you  be- 
long, would  naturally  claim  your  first  attention  ;  and  then, 
like  a  stone  cast  into  a  lake,  it  must  take  a  wider  and  yet 
wider  circle,  until  the  whole  world  is  made  to  feel  the 
effects  of  your  benevolence. 

Now,  my  dear  hearers,  examine  this  subject  candidly, 
honestly.  First,  the  duty  of  benevolence — then,  of  systematic 
benevolence — then,  the  proportion  that  should  be  systemat- 
ically appropriated — then,  examine  your  own  conduct,  re- 
membering that  omissions  are  sins,  as  well  as  commissions. 
The  tree  that  brings  forth  no  fruit,  is  nigh  unto  cursing,  as 
well  as  that  which  brings  forth  sour  grapes. 

"  If  these  things  be  in  you,  and  abound,  they  make  you 
that  ye  shall  be  neither  barren  nor  unfruitful  in  the  know- 
ledge of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 


SERMON   XIV. 

"Honor  the  Lord  with  thy  substance,  and  with  the  first  fruits 
of  all  thine  increase:  so  shall  thy  barns  be  filled  with  plenty,  and 
thy  presses  shall  burst  out  icith  new  wine." — Prov.  iii.  9,  10. 

The  general  principle  that  Christians  ought  to  be  be- 
nevolent, none  will  deny.  That  some  system  in  our  charity 
is  in  a  high  degree  expedient,  few,  I  suppose,  will  dispute* 

Systematic  benevolence  has  many  advantages,  on  which 
we  cannot  enter  at  large,  but  on  which  it  may  be  proper  just 
to  glance. 

System  is  good  in  everything.  God  is  a  God  of"  system, 
and  all  his  creatures  that  are  not  affected  by  sin  are  creatures 
of  s}^stem.  Disorder  and  confusion  are  infallible  marks  ol 
depravity. 

Systemis  the  very  soul  of  business.  Behold  two  families, 
two  merchants,  or  two  armies,  the  one  moving  by  the  most 
exact  rules,  the  other,  without  regularity,  without  order  ;  to 
which  would  you  predict  success  ?  The  answer  is  obvious. 
So  system  is  of  vast  advantage  in  our  charities.  Without 
it,  you  are  left  to  the  whim  of  the  moment,  and  are  much 
exposed  to  the  influence  of  nature,  caprice  and  selfishness  ; 
with  it,  you  are  able  to  act  entirely  upon  principle.  With- 
out it,  the  mind  will  be  liable  to  be  disturbed  by  every  de- 
mand upon  your  purse,  and  you  will,  perhaps  in  reality, 
almost  certainly  in  appearance,  give  "  grudgingly  and  of  ne- 


SERMONS.  277 

eessity  ;"  i.  e.  through  the  force  of  entreaties,  or  to  keep  up 
appearances  :  with  it,  you  will  give  cheerfully,  and  "  God 
loveth  a  cheerful  giver." 

Charity  without  system,  like  a  river  in  a  bed  of  rocks, 
will  ever  be  liable  to  obstacles.  Like  such  a  river,  it  may 
make  a  wonderful  clamor  ;  but,  in  utility,  it  will  bear  no 
comparison  with  the  deep,  pure,  uninterrupted  current  of 
systematic  charity.  Without  system,  the  mind  will  seldom 
be  able  to  judge  of  any  call  which  requires  money  ;  but  with 
it,  the  merits  of  the  case  may  be  weighed  in  an  even  balance. 
How  often  is  a  good  cause  scouted  and  condemned,  because, 
if  the  individual  expresses  approbation,  he  has  a  secret 
thought  that  he  will  be  expected  to  give  ;  whereas,  had  he 
already  set  apart  a  portion  for  the  Lord,  he  would  be  able 
to  judge  candidly,  and  then  as  freely  to  minister  according 
to  his  ability  and  the  necessity  of  the  case. 

Further,  system  in  our  charities  will  tend  to  make  us 
systematic  in  all  our  concerns.  It  makes  a  man  exact  and 
frugal  in  his  expenditures,  and  in  this,  if  in  no  other  way, 
brings  an  abundant  temporal  reward  by  making  him  a 
thriving  man. 

We  proceed  now  to  notice  the  promise  connected  with 
the  duty  we  have  been  considering.  "  Honor  the  Lord  with 
thy  substance.,  &c,  so  shall  thy  bams  be  filled  with  plenty,  and 
thy  presses  shall  burst  out  with  new  wine." 

It  is  a  peculiar  trait  of  our  holy  religion,  that  it  requires 
nothing  from  us,  but  it  ensures  an  ample  return.  Our  text 
is  proof  in  point,  and  were  there  no  other  in  the  whole  range 
of  the  word  of  God,  this  would  be  sufficient  for  the  believing 
heart :  but,  there  are  many  more,  and,  if  there  is  truth  in 
God,  we  shall  be  no  losers  by  our  charities. 

T"  ount  of  the  promise  is,  that  "  they  who  do  good 

hey  have,  shall  have  more  to  do  good  with  ;  and 


278  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

that  if  we  make  our  worldly  estates  serviceable  to  religion, 
we  shall  find  religion  serviceable  to  our  worldly  affairs." 

We  have  shown  in  a  former  discourse  that  godliness  has 
a  tendency  to  make  men  healthy  and  to  lengthen  their  days  ; 
it  has  likewise  a  tendency  to  make  men  prosperous,  accord- 
ing to  the  law  of  cause  and  effect.  It  gives  contentment, 
and  thus  saves  them  from  the  risks  attendant  on  speculations: 
it  delivers  from  slothfulness,  which  eats  the  substance  like 
a  canker:  it  produces  industry,  and  thus  brings  honey  day 
by  day  to  the  hive  :  it  makes  men  upright  and  jusl,  and  thus 
insures  to  them  the  confidence  of  their  fellow  men  :  it  makes 
them  economical,  and  thus  delivers  them  from  wilful  waste 
which  is  the  parent  of  want :  and ,  lastly,  it  makes  them  bene- 
volent, and  thus  ensures  that  which  crowns  the  whole, — the 
blessing  of  heaven  !  and  such  an  one  must  be  a  thriving  man. 

It  may  be  objected  that  there  are  some  Christians  who, 
notwithstanding  all  their  endeavors,  cannot  thrive.  God  may 
in  His  sovereignty  doom  some  such  to  poverty,  but  it  is  for 
wise  purposes.  We  are  of  opinion  that,  perhaps  in  every 
case,  if  we  could  see  with  His  eye,  we  should  discover  that 
they  were  deficient  in  some  grace,  or  some  duty.  Either, 
property  would  be  a  snare  to  them,  or  they  are  not  so  indus- 
trious, contented,  frugal,  or  charitable,  as  they  ought  to  be. 
We  must  remember  that  the  promise  is  to  those  who  are 
right  in  all  these  respects.  It  is  not  to  the  benevolent  alone, 
nor  to  the  diligent  and  economical  alone ;  but  to  those  in 
whom  these  traits  all  centre  :  and  we  are  bold  to  challenge 
the  world  to  produce  an  individual  in  whom  they  were  com- 
bined, who  did  not  prosper  in  his  station  in  life. 

As  benevolence  is  the  grand  regulator  of  all  the  rest— 
for  it  follows,  almost  of  course,  that  he  who  is  benevolent 
upon  right  principles,  will  be  industrious,  and  upright  and 
economical— we  may  go  further,  and  "  challenge  the  world 


SERMONS.  279 

to  produce  an  individual  whose  charity  has  undone  him. 
On  the  contrary,  as  the  more  we  draw  from  living  wells,  the 
more  freely  they  spring  and  flow,  so  the  substance  of  the 
charitable  man  frequently  multiplies  in  the  distribution,  as 
the  five  loaves  and  few  fishes  multiplied  while  being  broken 
and  distributed,  and  as  the  widow's  oil  by  being  poured  out." 

"  Honor  the  Lord  with  thy  substance,  so  shall  thy  barns 
be  filled  with  plenty,"  &c.  Is  it  necessary  to  prove  that  God 
can  thus  bless  ?  We  are  not  willing  to  think  that  any  here 
present  are  so  far  gone  in  infidelity  as  to  doubt  it ;  but,  if 
any  such  there  be,  let  them  remember  Abraham  and  Lot, 
whose  substance  became  so  great  under  the  blessing  of  God 
that  "  the  land  was  not  able  to  bear  them."  Remember  Ja- 
cob, who  with  no  earthly  substance  but  his  staff,  left  his 
father's  house  and  returned  "  two  lands,"  so  that  he  was  able 
to  meet  his  brother  with  a  present  of  near  six  hundred  head 
of  cattle. 

Remember  Job,  who,  under  the  smiles  of  heaven,  became 
the  greatest  man  in  the  East,  and,  under  its  frowns,  the 
most  abject  and  poor  ;  and  again,  when  the  clouds  dispersed, 
he  obtained  "  twice  as  much  as  he  had  before." 

That  this  blessing  is  linked  with  our  regard  to  the  cause 
of  God  and  the  poor,  is  equally  manifest.  Men  are  afraid 
that,  if  they  should  enlarge  their  bounty  towards  others,  thdy 
or  their  children  may  be  sufferers  by  it.  No  fear  is  more 
groundless.  It  would  be  endless  to  recount  all  the  promi- 
ses, which  give  the  strongest  pledges  and  assurances  to  the 
contrary. 

"  He  that  hath  a  bountiful  eye  shall  be  blessed"* — bles- 
sed with  an  abundant  blessing  and  recompense  from  God. 
"  He  that  hath  pity  upon  the  poor,  lendeth  unto  the  Lord; 
and  that  which  he  hath  given,  will  He  pay  him   again."t 

*  Prov.  xxii.  9.  +  Prov.  xix.  17. 


2S0  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

That  is  not  thrown  away  which  is  given  away ;  the  Lord 
considers  it  as  clone  to  Himself:  He  takes  account  of  it  and 
promises  to  pay  it  again  with  interest.  You  cannot  have 
better  security  than  the  word  of  God  ;  it  is  better  than  a 
mortgage  on  heaven  and  earth,  for  "  Heaven  and  earth  shall 
pass  away,  but  my  words  shall  not  pass  away." 

"  God  is  not  unrighteous  to  forget  your  work  and  labor 
of  love,  which  ye  have  shewed  toward  His  name,  in  that  ye 
have  ministered  to  the  saints  and  do  minister."* 

"  There  is  that  scattereth  and  yet  increaseth  ;  and  there 
is  that  withholdeth  more  than  is  meet,  but  it  tendeth  to  pover- 
ty. The  liberal  soul  shall  be  made  fat ;  and  hethatwater- 
eth  shall  be  watered  also  himself."  t  We  cannot  give  you 
a  better  comment  on  these  words  than  is  furnished  by  the 
pious  Scott.  "Liberality,  exercised  from  right  motives,  is 
sowing  seed,  and  God  gives  the  increase,  generally  in  tem- 
poral things  ;  but  he  that  withholds,  when  a  just  and  right 
occasion  offers,  seldom  prospers  much  even  in  this  world, 
for  God  metes  to  men  in  their  own  measure  ;  and  bad  crops, 
bad  debts,  expensive  sickness,  and  a  variety  of  similar 
deductions,  soon  amount  to  far  more  than  liberal  alms  would 
have  done.  While,  if  God  see  it  best,  large  increase, 
flourishing  trade,  kind  friends  and  various  other  supplies 
and  savings,  soon  reimburse  the  expenses  of  general  char- 
ity." 

St.  Paul,  applying  the  same  idea  to  charity,  says,  "He 
that  soweth  little,  shall  reap  little  ;  and  he  that  soweth 
plenteousfy,  shall  reap  plenteousfy."  J  You  know  how  to 
apply  this  maxim  in  cultivating  your  lands,  and  it  is  no  less 
true,  however  it  may  appear  to  blind  reason  and  unbelief, 
in    its  application  to  spiritual  husbandry. 

Were  there  no  other  promise  to  this  branch  of  Christian 

morals  than  that  contained  in  Ps.  xli.  it  should  be  enough  : 

o 

*  Heb.  vi.  10.  t  Prov.  xi.  24.  25.  X  2  Cor.  ix.  6. 


SERMONS.  281 

"Blessed  be  he  that  considereth  the  poor;  the  Lord  will 
deliver  him  in  the  time  of  trouble.  The  Lord  will  prosper 
him  and  keep  him  alive ;  and  he  shall  be  blessed  upon  the 
earth;"  ''The  Lord  will  strengthen  him  upon  the  bed  of 
languishing ;  thou  wilt  make  all  his  bed  in  his  sickness." 
A  beautiful  agreement  this  with  the  Saviour's  declaration, 
"Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy." 
Either  they  shall  be  exempt  from  the  ills  which  befall  others, 
or  they  shall  be  supported  under  them,  and  eventualy  find  a 
happy  release  from  them.  If  troubles  come,  the  Lord  will  de- 
liver them  ;  if  enemies  arise,  the  Lord  will  be  their  protector  ; 
if  sickness  come,  He  will  strengthen  them  to  bear  it  with 
patience — yea — "He  will  make  all  their  bed."  They,  who 
have  in  the  days  of  health  been  ministering  angels  to  the 
sick  and  needy,  shall  have  a  bed  of  pain  made  easy  for  them, 
by  the  hand  of  their  Heavenly  Father.  "He  will  make  all 
their  bed  in  their  sickness  " — alluding  to  the  care  of  a  nurse 
attending  the  sick,  and  especially  the  tender  care  of  a  mother 
for  a  sick  and  darling  child.  You,  who  are  mothers,  will 
understand  this  allusion  without  further  comment.  As  an 
old  divine  says,  "That  bed  must  needs  be  well  made  which 
God  himself  makes." 

We  next  turn  to  promises  of  spiritual  blessing.  Isa. 
lviii.  8 — 11  is  full  of  encouragement  to  those  who  attend  to 
this  duty.  "Then  shall  thy  light  break  forth  as  the  morn- 
ing, and  thine  health  shall  spring  forth  speedily ;  and  thy 
righteousness  shall  go  before  thee  ;  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
shall  be  thy  reward."  "  Then  shalt  thou  call,  and  the  Lord 
shall  answer  ;  thou  shalt  cry,  and  He  shall  say,  'Here  I  am.' 
If  thou  take  away  from  the  midst  of  thee  the  yoke,  the 
putting  forth  of  the  finger,  and  speaking  vanity ;"  "And  if 
thou  draw  out  thy  soul  to  the  hungry,  and  satisfy  the  afflict- 
ed soul ;  then  shall  thy  light  rise  in  obscurity,  and  thy  dark- 
ness be  as  the  noon-day  ;"  "And  the  Lord  shall  guide  thee 


282  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

continually,  and  satisfy  thy  soul  in  drought,  and  make  fat 
thy  bones :  and  thou  shalt  be  like  a  watered  garden,  and 
like  a  spring  of  water,  whose  waters  fails  not."  "Many 
professed  Christians  prove  themselves  hypocrites  by  a  con- 
trary conduct;  and  many  real  Christians  walk  uncomfort- 
ably all  their  days,  because  their  liberality  is  dispropor- 
tioned  to  their  ability.  The  evidence  of  their  sincerity  in 
their  professed  love  of  Christ  is  therefore  low  ;"  their  as- 
surance of  God's  favor  towards  them  is  low  ;  their  spiritual 
enjoyments  are  low  ;  and  their  support  in  a  dying  hour  will 
be  low  ;  "they  little  honor  God,  and  He  little  honors  them  ; 
He  dispenses  consolation  according  to  their  niggardliness 
to  his  people." 

Experience  proves  that  they  who  bear  the  strongest 
testimony  to  the  Spirit  by  their  good  works,  will  have  the 
most  unequivocal  testimony  of  the  Spirit  in  their  hearts  that 
they  are  the  children  of  God.  "And  they  who  in  humble 
faith  and  love  draw  out  their  souls  to  the  hungry,  and  abound 
in  devising  liberal  things,  are  most  comfortable,  and  most 
honored  to  be  useful  in  the  Church  of  God  ;  (a  sweet  reward 
to  the  benevolent  mind  ;)  and  often  they  have  the  most  out- 
ward peace  and  prosperity." 

Nor  does  the  reward  of  the  benevolent  terminate  with 
themselves;  it  extends  to  their  children.  "I  have  been 
young  and  now  am  old,"  says  the  Psalmist,  "yet  have  I 
not  seen  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor  his  seed  begging 
bread."*  It  may  be  objected  to  this,  that  truly  pious  per- 
sons are  sometimes  reduced  to  want,  and  their  children  laid 
under  the  necessity  of  asking  alms. 

We  answer  that  they  are  not  such  righteous"  persons  as 
the  Psalmist  describes  ;  "ever  merciful  and  lending,  ever 
dispersing  abroad  and  giving  to  the  poor." 

*  Pb.  xxxvii.  25. 


SERMONS.  283 

There  are  some  who  seem  to  be  religious,  and  perhaps 
— strange  as  it  may  sound — may  be  religious  ;  but,  they 
have  little  or  no  "  bowels  of  compassion,"  and  what  they 
give,  they  give  "  grudgingly."  Such  an  one  you  may  see 
"  forsaken,"  and  his  "seed"  you  may  see  "begging  bread  ;" 
but,  for  this  to  be  the  case  with  a  good  man,  who  "honoreth 
the  Lord  with  his  substance,"  "who  is  ever  merciful  and 
lendeth" — oh  !  it  can  never  be,  while  God  is  the  everlasting 
proprietor  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  while  He  cannot  lie. 
My  hearers,  I  should  sooner  expect  that  yon  sun  should  for- 
get (o rise,  or  that  seed-time  and  harvest  should  fail,  than  that 
the  promises  of  God  on  this  subject  should  fail  to  be  ac- 
complished. Would  you  secure  a  blessing  and  an  inheri- 
tance for  your  children  ?  be  ready  to  communicate  according 
to  your  ability. 

Further,  if  the  objects  to  whom  you  are  kind,  are  pray- 
ing people — and  some  will  be,  if  you  do  any  service  to  the 
kingdom  of  the  Redeemer — you  secure  to  yourself  their 
prayers  and  blessings.  "Because  I  delivered  the  poor  that 
cried,  and  the  fatherless,  and  him  that  had  none  to  help  him  ; 
the  blessing  of  him  that  was  ready  to  perish  came  upon 
me."  *  I  would  rather  be  remembered  by  name  at  a  throne 
of  grace,  by  a  poor,  praying  Christian,  than  be  in  favor  with 
princes;  for  princes  shall  die  like  other  men,  but  "the  ef- 
fectual, fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man  availeth  much  " 
with  Him  who  liveth  forever. 

At  all  eVents,  my  dear  hearers,  by  the  course  we  have 
recommended,  you  will  become  rich  in  good  works,  and 
good  works  will  be  rewarded.  "Thou  shalt  be  recompensed 
at  the  resurrection  of  the  just."  t  Christ  calls  it  laying  up 
"treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  cor- 
rupt." The  apostle  calls  it,  laying  up  in  store  for  ourselves 
— "charge  them  that  are  rich  in  this  world,  that  they  do 

*  Job.  xxix.  12.  13.  t  Luke  xiv.  14. 


284  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

good,  that  they  be  rich  in  good  works,  ready  to  distribute, 
willing  to  communicate  ;  laying  up  in  store  for  themselves 
a  good  foundation  against  the  time  to  come,  that  they  may 
lay  hold  on  eternal  life."*  Not  for  a  stranger — not  for  your 
heirs — not  for  those  who  will  scarce  allow  you  a  tomb-stone 
when  you  are  gone — not  for  those  who  will  not  feel  a  spark 
of  gratitude,  but  will  rather  insult  your  memory,  and  ridi- 
cule }'our  parsimony,  and  a  hundred  times,  while  you  are 
living,  wish  you  dead,  and  when  you  are  gone,  complain 
that  you  did  not  leave  your  wealth  to  them  sooner,  and  in 
larger  measure — not  for  such,  but  for  yourselves.  Be  wise 
then,  my  hearers,  and  make  that  use  of  your  substance 
which  will  do  you  good  in  another  and  a  better  world.  Like 
one  about  to  emigrate  to  a  foreign  land,  send  at  least  some 
of  your  treasures  before,  and  place  them  in  the  bank  of 
heaven,  "that  when  ye  fail  they  may  receive  you  into  ever- 
lasting habitations."  t 

"So  an  entrance  shall  be  administered  unto  you  abun- 
dantly into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ."| 

Such,  my  hearers,  is  a  specimen  of  God's  promises  to 
those  who  "  honor  Him  with  their  substance."  We  say  a 
specimen,  for  "  the  half  has  not  been  told  you."  How  do  you 
regard  them?  As  good  words  only?  And  call  ye  your- 
selves Christians  and  Believers,  and  yet  cannot  credit  prom- 
ises so  plain  ?  "Deceive  not  yourselves  by  supposing  that 
you  believe  the  promises  of  grace  and  mercy,  whilst  you 
believe  not  those  which  are  annexed  to  your  duly.  He  who 
believes  not  all  God's  promises,  believes  not  any.  As 
obedience  has  respect  to  all  His  commandments,  so  faith  has 
respect  to  all  His  promises." 

Prove  3^our  faith  by  your  works.  He  who  would  rather 
trust  a  fellow  man  with  half  his  estate,  though  he  were  a 

*  1  Tim.  vi.  17.  18.  19.  +  Luke.  xvi.  9.  X  2  Pet.  i.  11. 


SERMONS,  285 

model  of  integrity,  than  God  with  a  tenth,  cannot  be  a  be- 
liever. Faith  is  an  active  principle  ;  it  receives  God's  word 
and  acts  upon  it.  Take  heed  that  ye  be  not  among  those 
who  "profess  to  honor  God  but  in  works  deny  Him ;"  for, 
"if  we  deny  Him,"  either  in  word  or  deed,  "He  also  will 
deny  us."  He  will  deny  us  His  blessing  now,  and  deny 
that  He  knows  us  at  the  last  day.  Yea,  He  will  curse  such 
with  a  curse.  While  it  is  is  said,  "He  that  giveth  to  the 
poor  shall  not  lack,"  it  is  added,  but  "he  that  hideth  his 
eyes  shall  have  many  a  curse."* 

A  bare  intimation  of  the  divine  will  upon  any  subject 
ought  to  ensure  obedience,  and  will  do  so  from  every  heart 
rectified  by  grace.  But,  it  has  pleased  God  to  add  motives 
to  commands,  to  work  upon  our  affections.  He  placed  before 
angels  and  Adam,  life  and  death  ;  and  before  Israel,  bless- 
ing and  cursing.  From  Mount  Gerrizzim  He  pronounced 
blessings  upon  those  who  keep  the  law,  and  from  Ebal, 
curses  upon  those  who  violate  it. 

Obedience  is  our  Gerrizzim — a  hill  of  blessings  verdant 
and  fertile  :  disobedience  is  Ebal — a  hill  of  cursing  barren 
and  bare.  "Many  a  curse  shall  he  have  who  hideth  his 
eyes"  from  the  poor.  We  might  bring  before  you  a  broad 
phalanx  of  curses,  "terrible  as  an  army  with  banners," 
awful  as  Sinai  in  a  blaze,  fearful  as  when  God  speaks  from 
the  secret  place  of  thunders.  Let  one  suffice — "Is  it  time 
for  you,  Oye,  to  dwell  in  your  ceiled  houses,  and  this  house 
lie  waste  ?  Now  therefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts, 
consider  your  ways.  Ye  have  sown  much,  and  bring  in 
little  ;  ye  eat,  but  ye  have  not  enough  ;  ye  drink,  but  ye  are 
not  filled  with  drink;  ye  clothe  you,  but  there  is  none  warm  ; 
and  he  that  earneth  wages,  earneth  wages  to  put  it  into  a 
bag   with  holes."  t     Mark  the  judgment   by  which    God 

*  Prov.  xxviii.  27.  t  Hag.  i.  4 — 6- 


2S6  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

avenged  their  guilt.  "  Ye  looked  for  much,  and  lo,  it  came 
to  little  ;  and  when  ye  brought  it  home,  I  did  blow  upon  it. 
Why?  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.  Because  of  mine  house 
that  is  waste,  and  ye  run  every  man  unto  his  own  house."  * 
These  Jews  thought  themselves  unable  to  do  any  thing  for 
the  house  of  God  ;  but  their  excuses  were  vain  while  they 
could  build  elegant  houses  for  their  own  accommodation. 
How  often  do  people  who  plead  their  inability  to  do  any 
thing  for  God  and  the  poor,  lavish  in  needless  expenses  on 
their  own  persons  and  families,  ten  times  as  much  as  was 
required  for  better  purposes  !  If  men  will  do  thus,  they 
must  expect  corrections.  Many  think  with  those  Jews,  that 
their  poverty  and  trouble  is  a  sufficient  excuse,  and  that 
their  economy  must  begin  at  the  house  of  God,  and  the 
cottage  of  the  poor  ;  whereas,  their  poverty  and  their  trou- 
ble may  be  intended  as  a  correction  for  having  done  so 
little,  and  should  admonish  them  to  amend  their  ways. 
God  notices  their  excuses,  but  they  are  not  so  readily  ad- 
mitted by  Him  as  by  themselves,  and  "He  visits  them  for 
these  things."  They  sowed  plentifully  and  reaped  sparingly. 
He  called  for  drought — He  sent  the  devourer — He  blasted 
the  labor  of  their  hands — and  the  little  which  they  brought 
home,  "He  did  blow  upon  it"  and  scattered  it  as  chaff.  It 
was  unaccountably  wasted  and  driven  away,  as  if  He  had 
blown  it  away  with  a  strong  wind.  And  why  all  this  ? 
Did  God  do  it  without  a  cause  ?  No — He  never  punishes 
without  cause.  Truly,  it  was  that  they  had  neglected  His 
temple  and  suffered  it  to  "lie  waste." 

Malachi  prophesied  against  the  same  people.  "Will  a 
man  rob  God  ?  yet  ye  have  robbed  me.  But  ye  say, 
wherein  have  we  robbed  thee  ?  In  tithes  and  offerings. 
Ye  are  cursed  with  a  curse  ;  for  ye  have  robbed  me,  even 

*  Hag.  i.  9. 


SERMONS.  287 

this  whole  nation.  Bring  ye  all  the  tithes  into  the  store- 
house, that  there  maybe  meat  in  mine  house,  and  prove  me 
now  herewith,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  if  I  will  not  open  you 
the  windows  of  heaven,  and  pour  you  out  a  blessing,  that 
there  shall  not  be  room  enough  to  receive  it."  * 

They  did  consider  their  ways  and  proved  Him,  as  He 
commanded  them,  and  then  came  the  promised  blessing. 
"Consider  now  from  this  day  and  upward — even  from  the 
day  that  the  foundation  of  the  Lord's  temple  was  laid,  con- 
sider it.  Is  the  seed  yet  in  the  barn  ?  yea,  as  yet  the  vine, 
and  the  fig  tree,  and  the  pomegranate,  and  the  olive  tree 
hath  not  brought  forth  :  from  this  day  will  I  bless  you." 

My  hearers,  we  have  known  something  of  "hard  times." 
Blessed  be  God,  He  has  not  chastened  us  in  His  hot  dis- 
pleasure ;  but  He  has  done  enough  to  show  us  what  He 
can  do,  and  to  lead  us  to  "consider  our  ways."  And  is 
there  not  a  cause  9  Are  you  quite  sure  that  our  punishment 
does  not  point  us  to  our  sin,  and  that  that  sin  is  not  covetous- 
ness?  Search  and  see.  Have  you  done  for  God  all  that  you 
could,  and  all  that  you  ought?  It  is  said  of  the  late  Henry 
Thornton  of  London,  that  when  heavy  losses  came  upon 
him.  he  always  investigated  his  charity  account.  You  see 
that  poverty  and  hard  times  form  no  excuse  for  lack  of 
benevolence  ;  so  far  from  it  they  ought  to  stimulate  to  a 
more  diligent  discharge  of  the  duty. 

If  your  deficiency  in  this  respect  cause  the  "hard  times," 
then  remove  the  cause  and  the  effect  will  cease.  Say  not 
with  the  stout-hearted  Jews,  "what  profit  is  it  to  keep  His 
ordinance?"  but  remember  the  words  just  quoted  ;  "Prove 
me  now  herewith  if  I  will  notopenthe  windows  of  heaven  and 
pour  you  out  a  blessing,  that  there  shall  not  be  room  enough 
to  receive  it.  And  I  will  rebuke  the  devourer  for  your 
sakes,  and  he  shall  not  destroy  the  fruits  of  your  ground  ; 

•  MaL  iii.  8—10. 


288  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.   JACKSON. 

neither  shall  the  vine  cast  her  fruit  before  the  time  in  the 
field,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts."* 

Thus,  my  dear  hearers,  we  have  discussed  a  great  Chris- 
tian duty.  We  have  endeavored  to  show  you  that  it  is 
obligatory  upon  you  to  "  Honor  the  Lord  with  your  sub- 
stance," on  the  ground,  that  He  is  the  original  proprietor  of 
all — that  He  has  constituted  us  His  stewards  and  almoners — ■ 
that  He  has  done  so  much  for  us — -that  we  possess  blessings 
for  lack  of  which  others  are  famishing — that  we  profess  to 
surrender  all  we  have  and  are  to  His  service — that,  accord- 
ing to  the  established  economy  of  the  Gospel,  His  cause  is 
to  be  extended  through  the  world  by  human  instrumentality. 

We  have  endeavored  to  prove  to  you  that  you  ought  to 
be  systematically  benevolent — that  reason  and  revelation  re- 
quire at  least  a  tenth.  Now  we  put  the  question  seriously 
to  your  minds,  what  will  you  do  ?  Rely  upon  it,  it  is  not  a 
matter  of  indifference,  and  it  is  become  more  important  now 
than  ever,  because  God,  in  His  providence,  has  caused  the 
subject  to  be  brought,  probably  more  fully  than  ever,  before 
your  minds  ;  consequently  guilt  must  be  proportionably  in- 
creased by  disobedience.  "  The  times  of  ignorance,  God 
winks  at,"  but  when  He  gives  the  knowledge  of  His  will, 
He  requires  obedience.  "If  I  had  not  come  and  spoken 
unto  them,"  said  the  Saviour,  "they  had  not  had  sin;  but 
now  they  have  no  cloak  for  their  sin."t  The  Jews  would 
have  been  much  more  guilty  had  they  neglected  the  rebuild- 
ing of  the  temple,  after  the  prophets  had  admonished  them, 
and  delivered  to  them  the  messages  of  God  respecting  it ; 
and  so  shall  we  be  left  without  excuse,  if,  knowing  the  will 
of  God,  we  do  it  not. 

Wilt  thou,  my  hearer,  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  the  Lord 
thy  God  ?     All  these  blessings  shall  come  upon  thee  ;  "  Bles- 

»  Mai.  iii.  10.  11.  t  John  xiv.  22. 


SERMONS.  289 

sed  shall  thou  be  in  the  city,  and  blessed  shalt  thou  be  in 
the  field.  Blessed  shall  be  the  fruit  of  thy  body,  and  the 
fruit  of  the  ground,  and  the  fruit  of  thy  cattle,  the  increase 
of  thy  kine,  and  the  flocks  of  thy  sheep.  Blessed  shall  be 
thy  basket  and  thy  store.  Blessed  shalt  thou  be  when  thou 
comest  in,  and  blessed  shalt  thou  be  when  thou  goest  out."* 
But,  if  thou  wilt  not  hearken  to  do  all  that  He  commands 
thee,  then  "  all  these  curses  shall  come  upon  thee  and  over- 
take thee  :  cursed  shalt  thou  be  in  the  city,  and  cursed  shalt 
thou  be  in  the  field;  cursed  shall  be  thy  basket  and  thy 
store.  Cursed  shall  be  the  fruit  of  thy  body,  and  the  fruit 
of  thy  land,  the  increase  of  thy  kine,  and  the  flocks  of  thy 
sheep.  Cursed  shalt  thou  be  when  thou  comest  in,  and 
cursed  shalt  thou  be  when  thou  goest  out."t 

*  Deut.  xxviii.  3 — 6.  t  Deut.  xxviii.  15 — 19. 


Note. — The  reader  will  perceive  from  the  whole  tenor  of  these  sermons,  that  the 
author  did  not  entertain  the  idea  of  a  reward  for  works,  in  the  sense  of  merit,  due 
for  their  performance.  Such  merit  no  one  would  have  been  more  ready  to  disclaim 
than  himself.  The  following  note  has  been  furnished  by  a  friend  of  the  author, 
intimately  acquainted  with  his  views: — "  There  is  another  sense  in  which  the  hope 
of  reward  may  be  entertained  without  presumption  by  the  Christian,  and  which, 
with  propriety,  may  furnish  him  with  powerful  motives  of  action.  "  Moses,"  it  is 
said  in  Hebrews  xi.  26 — "  had  respect  unto  the  recompense  of  reward."  It  is  in 
this  sense  that  the  word  is  most  properly  though  perhaps  not  most  commonly  used. 
"Reward,"  it  has  been  said, — "  conveys  no  idea  of  obligation  ;  whoever  rewards, 
acts  altogether  optionally.  What  accrues  to  a  man  as  the  just  consequence  of  his 
conduct,  be  it  good  or  bad,  is  a  reward."  The  rewards  of  the  righteous,  are  then 
the  blessings  which  God  of  his  free  and  unmerited  goodness  has  connected  with 
the  life  of  faith  in  the  Son  of  God," — procured  to  us  by  his  merits,  not  our  own." 


19 


SERMON  XV. 

"  The  queen  of  the  south  shall  rise  up  in  the  judgment  with 
the  men  of  this  generation,  and  condemn  them  ;  for  she  came  from 
the  utmost  parts  of  the  earth  to  hear  the  wisdom  of  Solomon  ; 
and,  behold,  a  greater  than  Solomon  is  here." — Luke  xi.  31. 

The  occasion  of  these  words,  was  a  request — or  rather 
a  demand — made  by  certain  Jews  on  Christ,  to  show  them 
a  sign  from  heaven  whereby  they  might  certainly  know  that 
he  was  the  Messiah. 

They  had  indeed  seen  many  signs — they  had  seen  him 
raise  the  dead,  heal  the  sick,  cleanse  the  lepers,  but,  they 
require  something  more.  It  must  be  a  sign  from  heaven,  by 
which  they  probably  meant  something  like  the  glorious 
manifestation  on  Sinai.  Unreasonable  men  !  they  had  signs 
and  wonders  such  as  were  never  given  before,  and  such  as* 
perhaps,  never  will  be  given  again — but  it  is  no  I  enough. 
Foolish  men  !  they  would  fain  see  sights  and  hear  sounds, 
before  which  their  fathers  trembled  and  quaked,  and  from 
which  they  earnestly  entreated  to  be  delivered.  But  our 
Saviour  answered,  "  This  is  an  evil  generation  ;  they  seek 
a  sign ;  and  there  shall  no  sign  be  given  it,  but  the  sign  of 
Jonas  the  prophet.  For  as  Jonas  was  a  sign  unto  the 
Ninevites,  so  shall  also  the  son  of  man  be  to  this  generation." 
He  reproves  the  impenitent  by  the  example  of  the  Ninevites, 
who  "  repented  at  the  preaching  of  Jonas  ; "  and  the  unbe- 
lieving by  the  example  of  the   queen  of  the  south,  who 


SERMONS.  291 

"came  from  the  utmost  parts  of  the  earth  to  hear  the 
wisdom  of  Solomon."  "May  we,  instead  of  demanding 
further  evidence  of  Christianity  than  the  wisdom  of  God 
has  seen  fit  to  give,  make  it  our  care  to  hear  and  obey,  and 
diligently  improve  the  light  we  have  received." 

In  discoursing  upon  the  words  of  our  tex",  we  shall  first 
notice  those  particulars  in  which  the  conduct  of  the  queen 
of  the  south  condemns  the  generality  of  men  :  and  secondly, 
the  points  of  encouragement  which  the  narrative  contains 
to  those  who  earnestly  seek  the  wisdom  from  above. 

I.  We  are  to  notice  the  particulars  in  which  the  queen 
of  the  south  condemns  the  generality  of  men.  It  has,  unhappi- 
ly, always  been  true  of  the  great  body  of  mankind,  that  they 
have  been  contemners  of  God  and  despisers  of  their  own 
souls.  In  the  days  of  Noah  "  God  looked  upon  the  earth 
and  behold  it  was  corrupt."  "Every  imagination  of  the 
thoughts  of  his  heart  was  only  evil  continually."*  "Rivers 
of  waters  run  down  mine  eyes,"  says  David,  "because  they 
keep  not  thy  law."t  And  our  Lord  testifies  that,  in  his 
time  "few  entered  into  the  strait  gate."  Alas  !  this  is  no 
less  true  still.  Whilst  civilization  is  extending,  whilst  the 
arts  and  sciences  are  perfecting,  and  human  learning  is 
pursued  with  unparalled  avidity,  Christianity  advances 
with  comparatively  tardy  steps  ;  the  science  of  true  godli- 
ness is  little  known  or  studied,  and  the  "wisdom  that  comes 
from  above  "  holds  but  a  secondary  place. 

We  beseech  you  seriously  to  consider  this  fact ;  for,  the 
idea  once  entertained  that  most  are  in  the  right  way,  is  a 
deadly  opiate  to  the  soul.  We  at  once  conclude  ourselves 
to  be  of  the  number  without  any  evidence,  and,  of  course, 
relax  all  exertions  or  anxiety,  and  "settle  on  our  lees;" 
whereas,  if  we  apprehended  the  contrary  fact,  it  might  tend 

»  Gen.  vi.  5.  12.  t  Pe.  cxix.  136. 


292  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

to  excite  in  our  souls  a  wholesome  alarm,  lest  the  queen  of 
the  south  should  rise  up  in  judgment  with  us  and  condemn 
us.     We  remark — 

1st.  The  faith  of  this  woman  will  condemn  many.  She 
heard  the  report  and  believed  it :  not  indeed  all  she  heard, 
but  enough  to  determine  her  to  undertake  the  journey.  But 
"who  hath  believed  our  report"  concerning  a  greater  than 
Solomon?  It  is  in  vain  that  any  pretend  to  believe  "the 
record  that  God  has  given  of  His  Son,"  unless,  like  this 
queen,  it  has  drawn  them  to  the  subject  of  the  testimony — 
unless  they  are  broughtto  Christ.  She  came  to  see  for  herself, 
so  must  we.  It  is  not  enough  to  know  Christ  by  the  hear- 
ing of  the  ear,  we  must  see  him,  and  look  upon  him,  and 
handle  him  ;  we  must  "taste  that  the  Lord  is  gracious  " — 
i.  e.  there  must  be  an  application  to  him,  that  gives  the  soul 
an  experimental  knowledge  of  his  mercy,  truth  and  power. 

It  will  not  satisfy  the  true  believer  simply  to  hear. 
His  language  is,  "Let  th}T  work  appear  unto  thy  servants, 
and  thy  glory  unto  their  children.  And  let  the  beauty  of 
the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us."*  That  is,  he  will  earnestly 
solicit,  that  the  work  of  redeeming  love  may  be  more  and 
more  made  known  in  its  grace  and  efficacy  to  his  soul ; 
and  that  he  may  experience  more  fully  the  sanctifying  and 
comforting  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  ;  that  the  beauty  of 
holiness,  and  the  joys  of  salvation,  may  be  within  him. 
Such  a  faith  has  the  testimony  and  seal  of  God  to  its  truth  } 
all  others,  the  "queen  of  the  south  will  rise  up  and  condemn." 

2d.  She  came  without  an  invitation.  She  knew  not 
what  her  reception  would  be  ;  whether  he  would  permit  a 
Gentile  stranger  to  enter  into  his  presence — much  more  to 
hear  his  wisdom  and  learn  of  him.     But  she  ventured  upon 

•Ps.  xc.  16.  17. 


SERMONS.  293 

his  goodness.  She  knew  it  was  a  part  of  true  wisdom  and 
goodness  to  condescend  to  those  of  low  estate  ;  she  there- 
fore resolved  to  try  ;  she  could  but  be  refused. 

Now,  no  ifs,  and  buts,  and  peradventures,  stand  between 
you  and  Christ.  Every  barrier  is  removed  ;  every  wall  of 
separation  is  broken  down  ;  no  doubt  remains  as  to  your 
reception.  By  commands,  by  promises,  by  entreaties,  by 
instances  of  condescension,  he  labors  to  bring  you  to  him- 
self. What  return  do  you  make  ?  Is  it  so  that  he  has 
called  and  ye  have  refused  ?  then,  indeed,  shall  "the  queen 
of  the  south  rise  up  in  judgment  and  condemn  you  ;"  for, 
upon  a  mere  report — without  any  encouragement — "she 
came  from  the  utmost  parts  of  the  earth  to  hear  the  wisdom 
of  Solomon  ;"  but  ye  "turn  away  from  him  that  speaketh 
from  heaven." 

3d.  She  came  in  opposition  to  many  difficulties  : 

A  woman — burdened  with  the  affairs  of  a  nation — at  an 
immense  distance — must  have  seen  many  real  difficulties, 
and  might  have  feared  a  host  of  obstacles  ;  but,  neither  the 
feebleness  of  her  sex,  the  business  of  the  government,  nor 
the  greatness  of  the  journey,  were  sufficient  to  appal  her  soul. 
She  encountered,  and  encountering,  surmounted  them  all. 
With  her,  "  wisdom  was  the  principal  thing  ;  therefore  she 
was  determined  at  all  hazards  to  "  get  wisdom." 

Where  is  resolution  like  this  ?  Nay — less  will  suffice  ; 
for  no  such  obstacles  lie  in  your  way.  "  Hearken,  oh,  daugh- 
ters, and  consider  !"  Delicacy  of  sex  is  no  impediment,  it 
is  rather  favorable  to  the  obtaining  of  true  wisdom.  No 
sacrifice  is  demanded  but  such  as  is  for  your  interest  to 
make.  No  tedious  pilgrimage  is  to  be  performed,  before 
you  can  reach  the  palace  of  our  Solomon.  "  Say  not  in  thine 
heart,  who  shall  ascend  into  heaven  ?  (that  is,  to  bring  Christ 
down  from  above:)    or,  who  shall  descend  into  the  deep? 


294  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKS0X. 

(that  is,  to  bring  up  Christ  again  from  the  dead.)  But,  the 
word  is  nigh  thee,  even  in  thy  mouth,  and  in  thy  heart."* 
You  need  not  go  from  place  to  place  to  seek  Christ.  "  Lo  ! 
He  is  with  you."  Yea,  "  Behold  !  He  stands  at  the  door 
and  knocks  :"  He  sues  for  admittance ;  all  that  He  asks  is 
that  you  should  open  to  Him,  then  will  He  enter  and  regale 
you  with  His  grace  and  glory.  There  "  He  stands  until 
His  head  is  filled  with  dew  ;"  and  you,  perhaps,  are  making 
your  excuses  and  thus  putting  contempt  on  the  Lord  who 
bought  you.  No  wonder,  if,  at  the  last  day,  He  should  put 
greater  honor  on  a  Gentile  queen  than  on  such  Christians. 
"  Them  that  honor  me,  I  will  honor." 

4th.  She  came  under  many  uncertainties.  He  might  be 
dead  ;  or,  she  might  not  escape  the  hands  of  marauders,  the 
pestilential  winds,  and  the  various  dangers  that  infested  an 
Arabian  desert ;  or,  if  she  should,  she  might  not  at  last  be 
compensated  for  all  the  difficulties  she  had  encountered. 

But  no  such  uncertainties  lie  in  our  way.  Christ  liveth 
for  ever:  and,  as  to  realizing  all  that  we  expect  or  wish, 
there  is  not  the  shadow  of  a  doubt.  Angels  and  Archan- 
gels !  tell.  Patriarchs  and  Apostles  !  tell.  Ye  great  cloud 
of  witnesses  !  tell.  This  they  tell — "  Eye  hath  not  seen, 
nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered  into  the  heart  of  man, 
the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him."t 
In  the  present  world,  it  is  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy ; 
and  in  the  world  to  come,  life  everlasting. 

Lastly.  She  came  to  see  a  man  who  was  in  no  respect 
to  be  compared  with  Christ.  We  judge  of  the  character  and 
greatness  of  Solomon  by  the  magnificence  of  his  buildings, 
the  splendor  of  his  court,  the  arrangement  and  employment 
of  his  officers,  and  the  wisdom  of  his  laws.  In  all  these 
respects,  "  a  greater  than  Solomon  is  here."     Did  the  build- 

*  Rom.  x.  6—8.  +  1  Cor.  ii.  9. 


SERMONS.  295 

ings  of  Solomon  outrival  all  kindred  works  ?  Did  "  they 
reflect  so  bright  and  dazzling  an  effulgence,"  as  Josephus 
tells  us,  "  that  the  eye  of  the  spectator  was  unable  to  endure 
the  radiance?" 

Who  made  the  gold  that  glittered,  and  the  precious  stone 
that  sparkled  in  the  sun-beam  ?  Who  gave  Solomon  the 
wisdom  to  conceive,  and  the  ability  to  execute  designs  so 
grand  ?  Who  but  Christ,  "  by  whom  are  all  things,  and  for 
whom  are  all  things  ?"  This  man  then,  is  worthy  of  more 
glory  than  Solomon,  "  inasmuch  as  he  who  hath  builded  the 
house  hath  more  honor  than  the  house."*  Surely, "  a  greater 
than  Solomon  is  here."  Lift  up  your  eyes  to  the  house 
which  He  hath  builded,  "  a  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens." 

"  And  golden  worlds  in  that  wide  temple  glow, 
And  roll  in  brightness  through  their  orbits  vast ; 
And  then  the  future  mingles  with  the  past, 
An  unbeginning,  an  unending  now." 

Behold  !  then,  the  superior  greatness  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  in  the  superior  glory  of  his  residence. 

We  might  draw  an  equally  advantageous  comparison, 
as  regards  the  extent  of  their  dominions,  the  dignity  and 
virtue  of  those  about  their  thrones,  the  splendor  of  their 
robes,  the  benevolence  of  their  hearts.  But  we  will  content 
ourselves  with  that  particular  for  which  Solomon,  among 
men,  was  pre-eminent.  The  glory  of  Solomon  was  his  wis- 
dom ;  but  "  Behold  !  a  greater  than  Solomon  is  here."  Sol- 
omon had  a  wise  and  understanding  heart,  so  that  there 
never  was,  and  never  shall  be,  a  man  like  him.  But,  Christ 
has  not  only  "  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding  ;" 
He  is  wisdom  itself.  "In  him  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of 
wisdom  and  knowledge."!    "He  spake  as  never  man  spake;" 

*  Hebrews  iii.  3.  t  Col.  ii.  3. 


296  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

for,  while  Solomon  spake  of  trees,  and  beasts,  and  creeping 
things,  Christ  spake  of  the  secrets  of  the  heart — the  myste- 
ries of  heaven  and  eternity — and  the  "  deep  things"  of  God. 
And  of  this  wisdom  He  is  ready  to  impart ;  His  heart  is 
enlarged  as  the  sand  that  is  on  the  sea-shore ;  "  He  giveth 
to  all  men  liberally,  and  upbraideth  not."* 

And  now  what  excuse  can  ye  offer  for  neglecting  such  a 
Saviour?  "How  long,  ye  simple  ones,  will  ye  love  sim- 
plicity, and  ye  fools  hate  knowledge  ?  "  Surely  if  the  queen 
of  the  south  shall  condemn  men  who  did  not  profess  to  be 
Christ's  disciples  and  followers,  "  how  much  sorer  will  be 
the  punishment,"  of  those,  who,  while  they  sa}r,  "I  am  the 
Lord's,"  and  surname  themselves  by  the  name  of  Christ, 
yet  show  no  love  for  His  person,  no  zeal  for  His  honor,  no 
admiration  of  His  glory,  no  desire  to  participate  in  His  wis- 
dom. Must  they  not  expect  to  perish  under  an  aggravated 
load  of  guilt? 

She  sat  in  darkness,  with  no  light  upon  her  path,  save 
the  twinkling  of  a  feeble  star  in  a  distant  land.  To  that  land 
she  came,  and  great  was  her  reward.  But,  upon  us, 
"  through  the  tender  mercy  of  our  God,  the  day-spring  from 
on  high  hath  visited  us,"  and  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  hath 
arisen  :  and  yet,  under  this  meridian  light,  maay  obstinately 
close  their  eyes,  "  choosing  darkness  rather  than  light." 

Oh,  my  dear  hearers  !  open  jrour  eyes  to  this  light,  lest 
that  woman,  who  "  came  from  the  utmost  parts  of  the  earth 
to  hear  the  wisdom  of  Solomon,  should  rise  up  in  judgment 
against  you  :"  for  "  behold  !  a  greater  than  Solomonis  here." 

Are  you  making  the  wise  resolve   that  you  will  go  to 
Christ  ?     O  !  let  that  resolution  ripen  into  action  while  we 
exhibit 
IT.  The  encouragement  that  may  be  drawn  from  the  nar- 

*  James  i.  5. 


SERMONS.  297 

rative  for  those  who  are  earnestly  seeking  the  wisdom  which 
is  from  above. 

The  feelings  of  this  woman  strikingly  correspond  with 
the  feelings  of  a  sinner  desiring  "  the  knowledge  of  the  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus ;"  and  the  success  which  attended  her  ex- 
ertions bears  a  strong  analogy  to  the  result  of  a  sinner's 
going  to  Christ.  We  may  therefore,  with  the  strictest  pro- 
priety, view  her  case  as  at  once  reproving  the  slothful,  and 
encouraging  the  returning  penitent. 

1st.  She  came  perplexed,  but  returned  with  a  mind  fully 
satisfied. 

It  was  the  fame  of  Solomon  concerning  "the  name  of 
the  Lord  his  God" — i.  e.  concerning  his  knowledge  of  the 
true  God  and  His  worship — that  chiefly  attracted  her  atten- 
tion. Her  object  seems  to  have  been,  not  so  much  to  ques- 
tion him  respecting  things  natural  and  civil,  as  concerning 
things  divine.  "  She  proved  him  with  these  hard  questions" 
which  had  long  perplexed  her  mind,  and  "he  told  her  all." 
He  answered  every  query,  he  satisfied  every  doubt,  far 
beyond  her  highest  expectations.  "  Thy  wisdom,"  said  she, 
"exceedeth  the  fame  which  I  heard." 

In  like  manner,  when  we  first  begin  to  attend  seriously 
to  religion,  we  have  many  perplexities  to  distress  and  harass 
us.  It  may  be  on  some  point  of  doctrine,  or  on  some  rule 
of  action,  or  some  train  of  experience.  But  let  us  take  the 
Lord  for  our  teacher,  and  every  depth  will  be  fathomed, 
every  limit  explored,  and  every  "  rough  place  be  made  plain." 

My  hearers,  "  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord ; "  make 
Him  your  counsellor,  and  his  word  your  guide,  giving  your 
increased  knowledge  a  practical  tendency,  and  the  day 
will  soon  brighten,  the  clouds  will  soon  disperse.  Light 
will  soon  burst  upon  your  soul,  "  like  the  clear  shining  of 
the  sun  after  rain."     But,   remember,   heavenly  wisdom 


298  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.  JACKSON. 

comes  not  with  a  few  lazy  wishes.  Like  the  queen  of  the 
south,  we  must  seek  it,  and  labor  for  it,  and  be  willing  to 
forsake  all  that  we  may  obtain  it :  "  then  shall  we  under- 
stand righteousness,  judgment  and  equity  ;  yea,  every  good 
path  ;"*  for,  Christ  is  the  "  light  of  the  world,  and  he  that 
followeth  Him  shall  not  walk  in  darkness  but  shall  have  the 
light  of  life." 

2nd.  She  came  struggling  in  unbelief,  but  returned  con- 
firmed in  faith.  "  I  believed  not  the  words  until  I  came, 
and  mine  eyes  had  seen  it ;  and,  behold,  the  half  was  not 
told  me."t  Or  rather,  it  was  with  her  as  is  common,  faith 
was  mingled  with  doubts.  It  was  a  great  "report  that  she 
heard  in  her  own  land,  of  his  acts  and  of  his  wisdom  ;"  and 
no  wonder  that  she  could  not  fully  believe  it — the  like  had 
not  been  known  in  the  world — but  a  little  conference  with 
the  wise  man  dispersed  all  her  doubts. 

Faith  in  us,  reaches  not  at  once  the  standard  of  "full  as- 
surance." God  indeed  loves  to  be  honored  by  receiving 
full  credit  for  the  report  He  has  sent  to  us  ;  and  it  is  by 
hearing  that  faith  first  cometh.  But,  it  is  by  communion 
with  God — by  unbosoming  the  soul  to  Him,  and  hearing 
Him  speak  to  the  soul,  that  the  head  of  unbelief  is  bruised. 

My  hearers,  depend  upon  it,  there  is  no  knowledge  like 
that  which  is  derived  from  experience.  Rest  not  satisfied 
with  the  report  that  is  brought  to  you  by  us.  "Come  see 
the  man  that  can  tell  you  all  things."  Come,  hear  the  word 
by  his  Spirit.  Come,  receive  out  of  the  treasury  of  His 
grace  "the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ !"  He  who  lives 
most  in  communion  with  God,  will  be  most  free  from  the 
assaults  of  unbelief. 

3d.  She  found  the  reality  exceeded  the  report  she  had 
heard.     "When  the  queen  of  Sheba  had  seen  all  Solomon's 

*  Prov.  ii.  9.  t  1  Kings  x.  7. 


SERMONS.  299 

wisdom,  and  the  house  he  had  built,  &c,  then  was  no  more 
spirit  in  her.  And  she  said  to  the  king,  it  was  a  true  report 
that  I  heard  in  mine  own  land  of  thy  acts  and  of  thy  wis- 
dom.    And  behold  the  half  was  not  told  me."* 

How  strikingly  analogous  again  are  the  two  cases  ! 
When  the  Lord  first  shows  himself  gracious,  when  He  turns 
again  the  captivity  of  His  people,  it  puts  such  a  pleasing 
surprise  upon  the  soul,  that  they  are  like  men  who  dream. 
Depend  upon  it,  my  hearers,  that  there  are  joys  to  be  drawn 
from  the  fountain  of  divine  knowledge  which  you  cannot 
conceive  until  you  taste,  and  which,  when  tasted — like  the 
glorious  Paul  in  vision  saw — cannot,  from  the  poverty  of 
human  language,  be  expressed.  It  is  not  enthusiasm,  it  is  not 
hyperbole,  when  we  speak  in  language  the  most  glowing,  with 
warmth  the  most  extatic,  of  the  blessedness  to  be  enjoyed  in 
the  favor  of  God  ;  and  if  you  are  brought  to  experience  it  for 
yourselves,  you  will  be  constrained  to  confess  that  "it  exceeds 
the  fame  you  had  heard  of  it."  And  oh !  if  the  streams 
thus  far  from  their  source  are  so  sweet,  so  enlivening,  what 
must  they  be  at  the  fountain  head  ?  If  God  shows  himself 
so  glorious  in  these  earthly  sanctuaries,  what  will  the  vision 
be  when  no  veil  intercepts  ?  one  may  imagine  a  disembodied 
Spirit  to  "fall  down  as  dead"  on  the  first  glance  of  the 
divine  glory.  The  half — no,  nor  the  ten  thousandth  part 
cannot  be  told  of  that  "exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of 
glory."  Happy,  thrice  happy,  O  blessed  Jesus  !  "are  thy 
servants,  which  stand  continually  before  thee,  and  that  hear 
thy  wisdom."! 

Lastly,  we  remark  for  your  encouragement,  that  she 
reaped  immense  advantage  from  her  journey.  She  came 
with  an  offering,  and  returned  with  a  blessing;  for  "King 
Solomon  gave  her  all  her  desire,  whatsoever  she  asked, 

*  1  Kings  x.  4.  5.  7.  1 1  Kings  x.  8. 


300  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

besides  that  which  he  gave  her  of  his  royal  bounty."*  In 
like  manner  we  are  not  to  appear  empty-handed  before 
God.  We  can  bring  nothing  as  a  price  for  our  salvation, 
but  He  requires  us  to  make  a  full  surrender  of  all  that  we 
have  and  are  to  Him.  Our  time  must  be  given  to  Him — 
while  "  we  live,  we  must  live  unto  the  Lord."  Our  talents 
must  be  given  to  Him — so  that  we  must  be  willing  to  spend 
and  be  spent  in  His  service.  Our  property  must  be  given  to 
Him  for  the  advancement  of  His  cause.  Our  hearts  must  be 
given  Him.  Not  that  He  absolutely  needs  them,  but  be- 
cause He  has  so  arranged  the  economy  of  His  kingdom, 
that  our  time,  our  talents,  our  property,  our  hearty  co-opera- 
tion, are  made  necessary  to  build  it  up — to  give  glory  to 
His  reign — and  especially,  as  a  token  of  fidelity  to  Him,  and 
attachment  to  His  cause.  "I  beseech  you  therefore,  breth- 
ren, by  the  mercies  of  God,  that  ye  present  your  bodies  a 
living  sacrifice,  holy,  acceptable  to  God,  which  is  your 
reasonable  service."  t  Rely  upon  it  you  will  be  no  losers. 
"Ask  what  ye  will  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  }7ou."  "  There 
is  no  man  that  hath  left  house,  or  parents,  or  brethren,  or 
wife,  or  children,  for  the  kingdom  of  God's  sake,  who  shall 
not  receive  manifold  more  in  this  present  time,  and  in  the 
world  to  come  life  everlasting."! 

Did  Solomon's  servants  partake  of  the  benefits  of  his 
wisdom  ?  Whoso  comes  to  Christ  comes  to  the  very  source 
of  wisdom,  and  has  from  Him  the  light  of  life."  Did  they 
enjoy  with  Him  the  peace  of  His  kingdom  ?  "  The  kingdom 
of  God  is  righteousness,  and  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost."§  Did  they  participate  in  his  glory  and  were  they 
blessed  with  his  blessings  ?  "Blessed  are  they  that  dwell 
in  thy  house."||     "But  we  all,  with  open  face  beholding  as 

•  1  Kings,  i.  13.  tRom.  xii.  1.  X  Luke  xviii.  29.  30. 

§  Rom.  xiv.  17.  ||  Ps.  lxxxiv.  4. 


SERMONS.  301 

in  a  glass  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same 
image  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord."* 

And  now,  my  hearers,  what  will  you  do  ?  oh  !  be  per- 
suaded to  come  at  once  to  this  divine  Teacher.  Let  the 
hope  of  blessedness  influence  you.  "Come,  see  how  good 
the  Lord  is."  But  if  you  will  not,  then  remember  how  in- 
excusable you  are  to  neglect  privileges  so  precious — to  abuse 
advantages  so  great.  Perhaps  you  think  you  have  come  to 
him.     A  very  short  argument  will   determine  the  matter. 

The  salvation  of  the  soul  is  either  the  supreme  object  of 
our  pursuit,  or  it  is  not  at  all  in  view.  That  which  is  su- 
preme with  us,  not  only  maintains  the  chief  place  in  our 
thoughts,  but  secures  to  itself  the  consecration  of  all  our 
faculties,  and  swallows  up  all  minor  objects,  except  so  far 
as  they  promote  the  great  end  in  view.  Look  at  the  man 
struggling  for  life — the  covetous  laboring  for  riches — the 
ambitous  aspiring  after  fame — and  learn  how  the  individual 
who  aims  at  life  everlasting,  at  riches  which  endure  forever, 
at  honor  which  cometh  from  above,  labors  to  obtain  the 
prize.  Have  you  taken  the  same  pains  to  obtain  the  wisdom 
from  above,  that  the  queen  of  the  south  did  to  "hear  the 
wisdom  of  Solomon?"  You  have  not?  The  inference  is 
irresistible;  you  have  disregarded  Him  who  is  greater  than 
Solomon,  and  "the  queen  of  the  south  shall  rise  up  in  judg- 
ment with  you  and  condemn  you." 

O  !  think  what  shame  and  confusion  of  face  will  cover 
you  at  the  bar  of  God,  if  you  are  then  confronted  by  a 
pagan  queen,  who  came  upon  a  vague  report,  without  an 
invitation,  notwithstanding  the  delicacy  of  her  sex,  the  dan- 
gers of  the  way,  and  the  cares  of  a  kingdom,  under  many 
doubts  and  uncertainties,  to  see  and  to  hear  the  wisdom  of 

•  1  Or.  iii.  18. 


302  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Solomon  ;  and  lo  !  a  greater  than  Solomon  is  here  ;  and  no 
such  doubts  and  difficulties  and  uncertainties  obstruct  your 
path,  and  yet  you  will  not  come. 

Brethren,  will  you  be  influenced  by  neither  shame  nor 
blessedness,  by  rewards  nor  punishments,  by  the  smiles 
nor  the  frowns  of  God?  Behold!  "I  say  unto  you  that 
many  shall  come  from  the  east  and  west" — Ninevites  and 
Arabians,  Hottentots  and  Indians,  Mahomedans  and  Pagans, 
— "and  shall  sit  down  with  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob, 
in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  But  the  children  of  the  king- 
dom"— those  who  are  within  the  bonds  of  the  covenant, 
and  in  the  pale  of  the  Christian  Church — "  shall  be  cast  out 
into  outer  darkness :  there  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing 
of  teeth."* 

•Matt.  viii.  11.  12. 


FRAGMENTS. 


FRAGMENTS. 


CHRISTIAN  INFLUENCE. 

Every  Christian  is  placed  in  a  centre,  of  which  the  globe 
is  the  circumference,  and  each  must  fill  that  circumference, 
as  every  star  forms  a  centre  and  shines  through  the  whole 
sphere,  and  yet  all  meet  and  mingle,  forming  one  vast  field 
of  light: — or,  as  in  many  well-tuned  instruments,  each 
moves  every  particle  of  the  surrounding  air,  and  yet  strikes 
every  ear,  in  one  harmonious  sound. 


CONSCIENCE. 

Natural  conscience  dictates  the  propriety  of  acting  ac- 
cording to  right  and  wrong,  but  natural  conscience  gives 
not  the  rule  of  right  and  wrong.  It  is  as  blind  a  guide  in  mor- 
als, as  in  doctrine.  Itself  needs  illumination,  and  then  it  acts 
the  part  of  a  faithful  monitor,  when  we  turn  to  the  right 
hand  and  when  we  turn  to  the  left,  saying,  "this is  the  way? 
walk  ye  in  it."  Man  without  a  conscience,  is  a  machine 
without  a  regulator  ;  sometimes  too  fast,  sometimes  too  slow, 
and  seldom  right.  Conscience  without  a  divine  light,  is 
like  a  dial  without  the  sun  ;  a  shade,  a  blank,  a  useless 

instrument. 

20 


306  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

THE  LAW  OF  GOD. 

His  commandments  are  exceeding  broad,  like  the  great 
and  wide  arms  of  the  sea,  extending  to  all  our  thoughts, 
motives,  and  desires,  and  like  a  chain  reaching  from  the 
cradle  to  the  grave,  3-ea,  into  eternity  itself;  for  there 
never  was  a  moment,  since  we  became  rational  and  intelli- 
gent creatures,  when  we  were  without  the  law  ;  and  there 
never  will  be  a  period,  when  we  shall  be  independent  of 
God's  word  ;  for,  when  it  shall  have  accomplished  the 
work,  which  God  sent  it  to  perform  in  the  lower  world, — 
when,  like  the  star  in  the  east,  it  shall  have  led  Jew  and 
Gentile  to  the  place  where  Jesus  is, — there,  it  will  stand 
and  forever  shine  upon  the  intelligent  creation ;  "Heaven 
and  earth  shall  pass  away,  but  my  word  shall  not  pass 
awa}'."  Angels  "do  His  commandments  and  hearken  to 
the  voice  of  His  word." 

We  must  search  the  Scriptures  and  study  to  know  the 
will  of  God,  and  then  we  must  implicitly  submit  to,  and 
implicitly  obey  that  will  :  not  because  it  meets  our  views, 
or  interests,  or  natural  feelings,  but  because  God  commands 
it.  The  motive  is  not  less  important  than  the  deed.  "A 
man,"  says  Archbishop  Leighton,  "may  think  that  he  does 
the  will  of  God  in  some  things,  when  it  is  but  by  accident, 
because  the  letter  of  the  commandment  is  coincident  with 
his  own  will,  and  so  it  is  not  the  will  of  God,  but  his  own 
will  that  moves  him.  A  covetous  man  condemns  the 
prodigality  of  his  lavish  son,  and  the  son  cries  out  against 
the  avarice  of  his  niggardly  father,  and  thus  both  seem  to 
condemn  sin,  but  the  truth  is,  neither  do  it."  A  Jehu  may 
cry,  "Come  see  my  zeal  for  the  Lord,"  and  he  accomplishes 
the  Lord's  purposes  because  it  is  the  way  to  the  throne, 
"but  Jehu  took  no  heed  to  walk  in  the  law  of  the  Lord  God 
of  Israel  with  all  his  heart." 


FRAGMENTS.  307 

JEHOVAH  JIREH. 

"  The  Lord  will  provide."  It  implies  notice.  There  are 
those  who  imagine  that  they  compliment  the  Almighty,  by 
supposing  Him  too  great  to  notice  such  insignificant  worms 
of  the  dust  as  men.  But  they  have  never  told  us  how  large 
the  object  must  be  to  secure  His  providential  regard.  Offer 
such  a  compliment  to  "thy  governor;  will  he  be  pleased?" 
Do  we  not  acknowledge  him  best  fitted  to  fill  the  highest 
station,  who  possesses  a  mind  comprehensive  enough  to 
grasp  the  minutest  concerns,  and  diligent  enough  to  take  cog- 
nizance of  the  minutest  cog  in  the  machinery  of  political 
economy?  "  Will  a  man,  then,  rob  Godl"  Will  he  say, 
that  he  is  great  above  all  gods,  and,  then,  for  all  the  inter- 
ests of  our  race,  make  him  useless  as  gods  of  wood  and 
stone?  If  He  does  not  notice  the  creature  He  has  made, 
the  neglect  puts  dishonor  upon  His  wisdom  and  His  works. 
It  is  to  say  that,  they  weie  worth  making,  but  not  worth 
preserving.  It  is  to  say  that,  he  creates,  as  children  blow 
up  bubbles,  and  then  tosses  them  from  His  hand,  the  sport 
of  every  wind  that  blows.  Be  this  the  god  of  the  sceptic. 
Our  God  is  almighty  to  create,  and  all-wise  to  regard. 
"  The  eye  of  the  Lord  is  in  every  place."  Yea,  he  numbers 
"the  very  hairs  of  our  head." 

Many  are  the  evils  to  which  we  are  exposed.  God  sees 
and  notices  them  all,  and  pities  us  under  them.  He  orders 
theirextentand  duration.  If  achild  whoisthe  joy  of  a  parent's 
heart,  is  torn  away  by  the  hand  of  death, — He  calls  for  the 
sacrifice.  If  the  tongue  of  slander  endeavors  to  sully  the 
reputation, — Headers  it.  If  sickness  invades  our  frame, 
or  loss  of  property  whelms  us  in  dispondency  and  gloom, 
His  hand  hath  done  it.      But,  it  is,  as  a  father  corrects  his 


308  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

son.  There  is  a  blessing  in  it,  and  at  the  end  of  the  ap- 
pointed days,  he  removes  the  clouds  of  sorrow  from  us,  or 
us  from  them.  He  gives  us  as  happy  an  issue  out  of  all  our 
afflictions,  as  he  did  to  Abraham.  Therefore,  let  your 
course  be  onward,  though  you  go  weeping  as  you  go. 
There  is  a  monument  before  you,  to  encourage  your  faith 
and  hope  in  God.  Are  you  passing  through  deep  and. 
troubled  waters  ? — it  rises  above  the  waves.  And  through 
the  flames  ? — they  light  up  the  inscription, — Jehovah  Ji- 
reh.  Or  under  a  cloud  ? — it  is  seen  in  the  cloud,  like  the 
bow  of  a  gracious  covenant.  Or  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death  ? — if  a  mountain  like  Sinai,  forms  one  side 
thereof,  a  mountain  like  Calvary,  forms  the  other,  and  on 
it  the  cross,  with  this  inscription  in  Greek,  and  Latin,  and 
Hebrew,  and  in  the  language  of  every  nation,  Jehovah 
Jireh, — the  Lord  will  provide." 


Psalm  cvii.  7 — "  He   led  Jthem  forth  by  the  right 
way." 

"  Those  here  referred  to,  are  denominated  the  redeemed 
of  the  Lord" — verse  2.  Not  only  has  the  Lamb  been  slain 
for  them,  to  render  redemption  possible  ;  but,  by  faith,  they 
have  kept  the  Passover.  By  faith,  they  have  applied  the 
blood  of  sprinkling.  By  faith,  they  have  passed  from  the 
house  of  their  bondage,  broken  their  chains,  and  placed 
themselves  under  a  new  leader,  new  laws,  new  govern- 
ment. 


These  are  they  who  are  led  forth  "  bij  the  right  way." 
It  may  be  a  long,  dark,  dangerous,  and  intricate  way,  but 
it  is  "  right ;"  right  to  prove  their  hearts,  to  prepare  them 
for  the  inheritance,  and  to  display  the  wisdom,  power,  and 


FRAGMENTS.  309 

goodness  of  God.  Who  does  not  see  how  the  wisdom  and 
goodness  are  shown  in  leading  about  His  people  through 
the  wilderness  ?  Who  sees  not  how  necessary  the  training 
and  disclipine  were,  to  fit  them  for  independence  and 
wealth  ?  Instantaneous  emancipation  from  slavery  ;  sudden 
acquisition  of  cities,  and  olive-yards,  and  vineyards  ;  rapid 
and  complete  victory  over  enemies,  would,  in  the  nature  of 
things,  have  flushed  them  with  pride,  and  caused  them  to 
forget  the  Lord  who  redeemed  them. 

Just  so,  were  the  Christian  borne  on  the  full  tide  of  pros- 
perity, his  sails  would  soon  swell  with  pride,  and  he  would 
inevitably  make  shipwreck  of  his  faith.  The  wilderness 
way,  entangled,  and  gloomy,  and  dangerous,  and  long  as  it 
is,  is  the  best  way. 

This  is  the  point  we  wish  to  bring  you  to  see.  You  are 
chosen,  it  may  be,  in  the  furnace  of  affliction.  Was  ever 
gold  purified,  but  in  the  furnace  ? 

Poverty  may  be  your  lot ; — you  began  life  with  fair  pros- 
pects, but  your  projects  failed  ;  your  schemes  are  blasted; 
friends  prove  false.  You  form  other  schemes.  They  fail. 
You  change  your  residence  or  your  calling  ;  still  the  dark 
cloud  hangs  over  you,  and  it  is  right.  Possibly  you  are 
afflicted  with  domestic  troubles.  Your  children  are  taken 
from  you,  one  by  one  ;  or,  what  is  worse,  they  are  spared 
to  bring  your  grey  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave  ;  or,  you 
have  trials  of  temper  and  patience  from  the  quarter  whence 
you  might  look  for  indulgence  and  comfort, — and  it  is  right. 

You  may  be  subjected  to  persecution.  Your  own  fami- 
liar friend  has  lifted  up  his  heel  against  you.  You  are  held 
up  to  public  odium.  You  have  received  a  stab  in  the  ten- 
derest  part, your  reputation.  Perhaps  you  never  can  recover 
from  it  in  the  estimation  of  those,  whose  esteem  you  value, — 
and  it  is  right. 


310  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Or,  disease  may  be  your  lot.  You  are  incapacitated  for 
usefulness.  You  are  a  burden  to  yourself  and  tothose  around 
you.  Now,  you  have  the  prospect  of  release  in  death — and 
again  you  are  driven  out  to  sea,  to  endure  other  bufferings 
on  the  tempestuous  ocean  of  life,  and  your  poor  bark  seems 
to  be  sustained,  only  to  bear  another  and  another  shock  ; — 
and  it  is  right. 

Or,  it  may  be,  that  your  trials  are  entirely  of  a  spiritual 
character.  Clouds  and  darkness  are  round  about  you.  The 
candle  of  the  Lord,  shines  not  upon  you  ;  no  joy  ;  no  peace  ; 
scarce  a  ray  of  hope  breaks  in  upon  your  troubled  soul. 
You  are  harassed  with  continual  doubts.  You  have  no  as- 
surance ;  no  witness  of  the  spirit.  In  short  the  Lord  leads 
you  in  a  way  that  almost  leads  you  to  despair.  All  this  has 
befallen  thousands,  and  yet  it  is  right.  It  is  the  way  of 
God's  choosing.  It  is  the  right  way.  It  is  the  very  way 
that  is  necessary  for  you  to  travel  ;  to  kill  sin  within  you  ; 
to  wean  you  from  the  world  ;  to  bring  you  to  acquiescence 
in  his  will ;  to  perfect  patience  ;  to  make  you  meet  to  par- 
take of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light ;  to  display  God's 
wisdom,  power,  and  goodness  to  save  to  the  uttermost.  Had 
not  Abraham  been  required  to  sacrifice  Isaac,  he  had  not 
known  how  the  Lord  could  provide.  Had  not  Joseph  been 
exiled  from  his  father's  house,  God's  watchful  care  of  his 
people  had  not  been  so  signally  displa}'ed.  Had  not  Job 
been  so  sorely  tried,  Satan  had  not  been  so  baffled.  His 
patience  had  not  shed  such  a  lustre  through  all  succeeding 
ages  of  the  Church.  His  latter  end  had  not  been  so  greatly 
blessed.  Had  not  Paul  been  afflicted  with  a  thorn  in  the 
flesh,  which  probably  never  was  extracted  until  he  found 
relief  in  death,  he  had  not  proved  so  fully  the  sufficiency  of 
divine  grace. 

Not  one  of  those  who  had  trial  of  cruel  moekinq-s   and 


FRAGMENTS.  311 

scourgings,  bonds  and  imprisonment,  who  were  stoned,  sawn 
asunder,  tempted,  slain  with  the  sword,  wandered  about 
in  sheep-skins  and  goat-skins,  being  destitute,  afflicted, 
tormented,  had  one  trial,  or  strife,  or  stone,  or  bond  too 
much.  All,  in  measure,  weight,  extent  and  duration  were 
right. 


Psalm  Ixxviii.  25. — "Man  did  eat  anger's  food." 

I  feel  a  something  within  me  which  testifies  that  there 
is  a  determinate  good,  in  possession  of  which  my  mind 
would  be  fully  satisfied  and  at  perfect  rest.  But  what  that 
something  is,  defies  all  the  labor,  research,  and  ingenuity  of 
man  to  discover,  unaided  by  the  light  of  heaven  in  the  vol- 
ume of  inspiration. 

I  asked  the  sick  !  He  told  me  that  it  lay  in  health. 
Health  lighted  up  its  crimson  glow  and  mantled  in  his 
cheek,  but  it  was  not  there. 

I  asked  the  poor  !  He  told  me  it  lay  in  riches.  I  saw 
him  add  field  to  field  and  house  to  house,  and  heap  up 
gold  and  silver  without  measure.  But  it  was  not  there. 
They  were  not  riches  without  sorrow. 

I  asked  the  ambitious.  He  said  it  lay  in  honor.  I 
saw  fame  entwine  many  a  chaplet  around  his  brow,  but  it 
was  not  there.     Every  rose  had  its  thorn. 

I  asked  the  young.  He  said  there  was  nothing  better 
than  that  a  young  man  should  rejoice  in  his  youth.  But  a 
voice  came  from  heaven  and  cried,  "  know  thou  that  for  all 
these  things  God  will  bring  thee  into  judgment." 

They  fluttered  from  object  to  object,  but  they  were  be- 
guiled by  shadows.  They  spread  their  sails  to  the  wind, 
but  a  transient  meteor  directed  their  course.  They  bent 
their  bow  and  sent  their  arrow  on  its  swiftest  wing,  but 
they  had  no  better  object  in  view  than  a  gaudy  bubble, 


312  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

blown  up  by  a  vain  imagination  "  from  the  froth  of  their 
own  vain  hearts,"  which  vanished  with  the  gentlest  touch. 
All  these  were  found  liars  unto  me. 

Fearful,  lest  in  a  matter  of  such  importance,  my  own 
observation  might  deceive  me,  — I  inquired  from  the  aged. 
Not  one  could  say,  "  I  have  found  it; — here  it  is." 

At  last  I  betook  me  to  the  man  who  had  wisdom,  and 
riches,  and  honor,  such  as  mortal  never  before,  nor  since 
enjoyed.  He  told  me  that  he  had  taken  an  inventory  of 
the  world,  and  all  the  best  things  in  it ;  he  had  cast  up  the 
account,  and  the  sum  total  was  vanity. 

Impelled  onward  in  my  research,  and  directed  by  grace, 
I  repaired  to  the  fountain  of  all  knowledge,  the  sacred 
Scriptures.  There  I  learned  that  heaven  is  a  happy  place, 
and  that  angels  are  happy  beings,  that  man,  in  his  superior 
nature,  is  akin  to  angels  ;  like  them  spiritual,  immortal  and 
divine,  and  must  eat  angels'  food,  that  is,  be  constituted 
happy  as  angels  are. 


But  what  constitutes  them  thus  happy?  What  is  the 
source  of  this  unmingled  pleasure  ?  Not  their  power.  Fal- 
len angels  are  powerful.  Not  their  immortality.  Apostate 
spirits  are  immortal.  Not  their  activity.  Devils  are  active 
too,  but  they  are  not  happy. 

Here  lies  the  disparity — those  are  holy,  these  are  un- 
holy. From  sin,  the  latter  derive  all  their  gloom,  and  sor- 
row, and  despair:  but  holiness  is  the  well-spring,  whence 
the  former  draw  all  their  pleasure  and  delight.  They  are 
seraphs,  i.  e.  burning  ones,  having  minds  enkindled  with 
an  intense  and  eternal  flame  of  divine  love.  They  are  liv- 
ing ones  ;  living  to  the  best  of  all  purposes, — the  honor 
and  glory  of  their  great  Original.  They  are  winged  crea- 
tures flying,  like  lightning,  to  discharge  the  will  of  God. 


FRAGMENTS.  313 

Their  love,  their  praise,  their  obedience,  their  perfect  im- 
age and  likeness  of  God  is  their  happiness.  The  con- 
nection is  inseparable.  Indeed  no  union  between  any 
cause  and  effect  is  so  necessary,  as  this  between  holiness 
and  happiness. 


HUMILITY. 

The  humble  man  measures  himself,  not  by  the  lowest, 
but  by  the  highest.  He  thinks  not  of  what  he  is,  but  of 
what  he  ought  to  be.  And  though  possessed  of  the  wis- 
dom of  Solomon,  the  strength  of  Sampson,  the  honor  of 
David,  and  the  eloquence  of  Apollos  ;  he  would  still  feel, 
that  there  was  enough  to  humble  him.  He  asks,  what 
have  I  that  I  did  not  receive  ?  He  feels  that  he  always 
was,  and  always  must  be  a  dependent  creature.  Men 
talk  of  being  independent,  but  the  humble  man  is  conscious 
that  there  is  only  one  independent  Being  in  the  universe. 
He  feels  that  he  is  not  only  dependent  upon  God,  but  on 
the  very  slave  that  trembles  under  his  rod.  Without  the 
poor  man's  toil,  he  cannot  be  a  man  of  ease  and  leisure ; 
he  cannot  roll  in  luxury  or  wealth  ;  he  can  neither  eat  nor 
drink. 

He  feels  that  he  holds  his  riches  by  a  feeble  tenure  ; 
therefore,  he  neither  trusts  in  them,  nor  boasts  of  them. 
The  conflagration  of  a  night;  the  mortality  of  a  day;  the 
mildew  of  a  summer;  a  breath  of  wind,  may  destroy  his 
mansions,  blast  his  fields,  rob  him  of  his  flocks,  cany  off 
his  servants,  and  leave  him,  like  Job,  the  occupant  of  a 
dunghill.  A  competitor  may  pluck  off  his  wealth  ;  a  fever 
may  prostrate  his  gigantic  mind,  and  leave  him,  like 
Nebuchadnezzar,  a  fit  companion  for  the  beasts  of  the 
field. 


314  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

But  admitting  that  all  these  should  live,  and  grow,  and 
nourish  to  his  latest  hour,  the  sense  he  entertains  of  himself 
as  a  sinner,  is  enough  to  keep  him  humble.  It  is  this, 
which  enables  him  to  comply  with  the  otherwise  hard  pre- 
cept, to  esteem  others  better  than  himself.  With  Job,  he  feels 
himself  vile  ;  with  Isaiah,  a  man  of  unclean  lips  ;  with 
Paul,  he  carries  a  load  of  corruption,  whilst  the  sins  of  oth- 
ers are  in  a  measure  concealed  from  his  view.  Hence  he 
sinks  in  his  own  esteem,  and  is  "  clothed  with  humility." 


THE  ROBE  OF  HUMILITY. 

Let  it  be  your  outer  garment.  Let  it  cover  all  your 
other  virtues.  Not  that  they  are  to  be  neglected,  but  not 
cultivated  "  to  be  seen  of  men." 

Have  you  knowledge  in  science,  natural  or  divine? 
Throw  over  it  the  mantle  of  humility. 

Is  the  meed  of  praise  awarded  for  some  noble  and  dis- 
interested deed  of  benevolence  or  condescension?  Put  on 
the  garment  of  humility.  Endeavor  that  the  left  hand 
know  not  what  the  right  hath  done.  If  that  cannot  be, 
humble  yourself  under  the  consideration  that  Christ  came 
from  a  greater  distance,  and  descended  from  a  greater 
height,  on  an  errand  of  mercy  to  you. 

Have  you  exercised  a  spirit  of  forgiveness  ?  Think  of 
your  indebtedness  to  pardoning  mercy,  and  long  forbear- 
ance for  your  exemption  from  bitter  punishment  and  vin- 
dictive wrath,  and  so  "  b  clothed  with  humility.'" 

Thus  should  the  Christian  act  as  regards  every  thing 
in  which  there  is  any  praise  ;  and  if  he  could — if  it  were 
consistent  with  his  Christian  character,  he  should  conceal 
his  very  humility.  But  it  is  his  robe,  his  outer  garment. 
Not  the  long  robe  of  the  hypocrite,  with  broad  phylacteries 


FRAGMENTS.  315 

floating  in  the  wind,  to  catch  the  eye  of  every  passenger. 
It  is  the  modest  apparel  of  the  meek-hearted.  It  makes 
no  glare,  and  attracts  but  little  attention,  but  in  the  sight  of 
God  it  is  of  great  price.  It  is  an  ornament — a  precious 
ornament.  Men  may  call  it  a  mean  spirit,  but  it  is  highly 
valued  of  God.  It  brings  with  it  every  other  blessing  that 
is  worth  enjoying.  "  By  humility  and  the  fear  of  the  Lord, 
are  riches,  and  honor,  and  life.'''' 

******* 

This  garment  being  exposed  to  many  snares,  and  de- 
filements, must  be  carefully  guarded  and  retained  around 
us.  "  Be  clothed  with  humility."  Gather  it,  and  tie,  or  gird 
it  on,  as  Easterns  are  accustomed  to  gather  up  t heir  long, 
flowing  robes,  when  laboring,  or  performing  a  journey. 
We  are  traveling  a  road,  all  grown  over  with  briars  and 
brambles,  where,  without  care,  our  humility  will  be  rent, 
and  torn  from  us.  It  is  of  a  delicate  texture,  and  is  easily 
rent.  In  its  native  purity,  it  is  white  as  snow,  and  may 
soon  be  polluted.  Indeed,  we  shall  find  that  it  often  needs 
renewing  and  cleansing. 

A  little  accession  of  wealth,  soon  swells  the  mind  with 
vanity;  prompts  us  to  cast  off  our  robe,  and  array  our- 
selves in  the  vestments  of  mammon — pride  and  self- 
conceit. 

Honor  that  comes  from  man,  and  humility,  are  rare- 
ly seen  together.  A  puff  of  popular  applause,  often  divests 
us  of  our  chief  ornament.  A  literary  wreath  ;  yea,  beauty, 
— "a  flower  blasted  by  a  thousand  accidents;" — dress, 
which  the  worm  or  the  brute  wore  long  before,  and  which 
the  ignoble  may  wear  in  common  with  the  noble  :  and  fam- 
ily extraction,  as  if  a  wise  man  might  not  beget  a  fool,  and 
as  if  the  savage  were  not  his  kinsman — all  have  a  tendency 


316  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

to  mar  humility  and  intoxicate  the  spirits  with  pride.  We 
may  go  further  and  say,  that  pride  makes  even  grace,  and 
the  blessings  of  heaven  a  snare. 

Hezekiah's  heart  was  never  so  much  lifted  up,  as  when 
he  had  received  a  wonderful  deliverance.  Paul  was  never 
in  so  much  danger  of  being  exalted  above  measure,  as  when 
he  had  been  "  caught  up  to  the  third  heavens  ;"  and  per- 
haps Peter's  fall  was  occasioned  by  his  self-confident 
boasting. 


CHRIST  OUR  KING. 

He  calls  himself  our  Shepherd,  Physician,  Father, 
Friend  ;  but  add  to  these  this  one,  our  King,  and  how  it 
advances  their  value  and  importance.  It  gives  divinity  to 
humanity,  and  thus  qualifies  him  by  the  union  of  the  two 
natures,  to  be  our  Saviour. 

A  Shepherd  King  can,  by  his  holy  arm,  conquer  Sa- 
tan, destroy  death,  and  redeem  our  souls  from  hell.  A 
Sovereign  Physician  can  heal  every  wound,  and  pour  the 
oil  of  joy  into  every  bleeding  heart.  A  Royal  Father  can 
give  us  a  kingdom  for  our  inberitence;  and  a  Divine 
Friend  will  ever  have  his  eye  upon  us  for  good,  and  open 
his  ear  to  our  cry. 


CHRIST  THE  MORNING  STAR. 

Though  Christ  is  denominated  a  star,  it  does  not  denote 
inferiority  ;  for  he  is  "the  express  image  of  the  Father."  If  he 
appear  on  earth  in  less  splendor,  it  is  not  because  he  is 
lower  in  his  perfections,  but  from  compassion  to  our  weak- 
ness. 

That  star  which   shines  with    little  more  than  glow- 


FRAGMENTS.  317 

worm  brightness,  is,  in  another  sphere,  a  sun,  enlightening 
and  animating  other  globes,  as  our  sun  does  this.  So  Christ 
seated  on  the  throne  of  his  glory,  is  equal  with  the  Father. 
He  who  has  seen  a  fixed  star  has  seen  a  sun,  and  he  who 
has  seen  Christ,  has  seen  the  Father  also.  In  contemplat- 
ing Christ,  of  necessity  we  contemplate  God,  for  he  is 
"the  brightness  of  the  Father's  glory." 


Every  parable  that  he  spake,  every  miracle  he  wrought, 
every  discourse  he  delivered,  was  an  additional  ray  of 
evangelical  light.  The  morning  star,  seemed  indeed  to  set 
in  blood,  but  soon  it  burst  from  the  clouds  again,  in  in- 
creased splendor,  ascending  to  its  zenith,  a  light  to  lighten 
the  Gentiles,  and  the  glory  of  Israel. 


When  Christ  dawns  upon  the  soul  by  his  word  and 
spirit,  then  a  new  day  begins,  as  widely  different  from  our 
former  state, — yea,  even  admitting  that  we  have  a  theoret- 
ical knowledge  of  the  truth, — as  law  and  gospel,  night  and 
day,  darkness  and  light.  Yon  sun  was  no  instrument  of 
light  to  the  man  born  blind,  until  Jesus  anointed  his  eyes, 
and  he  washed  and  came  seeing;  and  what  is  this  gospel 
to  us,  until  sight,  that  is,  spiritual  intellect,  is  restored  to 
the  soul  ? 

"  Tis  midnight  with  my  soul,  till  he, 
Bright  Morning  Star,  bid  darkness  flee." 

But  when  the  shades  are  chased  away  before  the  bright- 
ness of  his  rising,  a  new  world  opens  upon  the  astonished 
soul.  Old  things  pass  away.  All  things  become  new. 
Those  which  once  charmed,  charm  no  more.  Trifles  no 
longer  please.     Earth's  pleasures  afford  no  content. 


318  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

When  the  thick  film  which  obstructs  the  moral  sight,  is 
removed,  then  evangelical  light  penetrates  the  understand- 
ing, and  finds  access  to  the  heart.  Those  truths  which 
reason  could  not  scan,  are  easily  apprehended  by  the  eye 
of  faith.  The  man  begins  to  see  with  precision  the  great 
doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  and  he  discovers  a  beauty  and 
harmony  in  the  economy  of  the  Gospel,  and  in  the  attributes 
of  the  Deity,  where  all  was  once,  to  his  mind,  an  inextri- 
cable snare.  He  sees  here,  mercy  and  truth  meet  together, 
here  righteousness  and  peace  embrace  each  other ;  in  oth- 
er words,  how  God  can  maintain  his  justice,  and  yet  justify 
the  sinner. 


DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN  REDEMPTION  AND 
ATONEMENT. 

It  may  be  asked,  why  are  not  all  men  saved  ?  We 
answer,  that  though  the  provision,  in  Christ,  is  sufficient  for 
all,  yet  it  is  not  efficient  to  all,  because  it  is  limited  in  its 
application  ; — limited  by  the  unbelief  of  man.  Opposition 
to  God,  impenitence  and  unbelief,  are  the  only  obstacles  in 
the  way  of  the  salvation  of  any.  There  is  mercy  enough 
in  the  Father,  but  men  will  not  touch  the  extended  sceptre 
of  his  pardon.  There  is  life  enough  in  Christ,  but  they 
will  not  come  to  him  and  live.  There  is  grace  enough  in 
the  Spirit,  but  they  will  not  seek  it  in  prayer. 

Atonement  is  general,  but  redemption,  which  is  atone- 
ment applied,  is  particular,  Atonement  is  for  sin  ;  re- 
demption is  from  sin.  This  distinction  will  appear  to  pos- 
sess a  propriety,  and  that  it  is  not  a  nice,  metaphysical  dis- 
tinction, by  the  simple  remark  that  "  we  may  pray  for  re- 
demption, but  we  cannot  pray  for  atonement." 

Atonement     makes    salvation    possible ;     redemption 


FRAGMENTS.  319 

makes  it  sure.  Just  as  the  shedding  of  the  blood  of  the 
paschal  lamb,  made  the  preservation  of  Israel's  first-born 
possible;  the  application  of  it  to  the  door  posts  of  the 
houses,  made  it  sure. 

This  distinction  between  atonement  and  redemption, 
possesses  more  importance  than  may  at  first  sight  appear. 
It  nullifies  the  doctrine  of  universal  salvation,  grounded  on 
the  doctrine  of  infinite  satisfaction  ;  the  advocates  of  which 
say,  that  as  Christ  died  for  all,  so  all  must  be  saved. 

If  the  atonement  is  to  be  regarded  as  a  remedy  or  'pro- 
vision, then,  its  efficacy  depends  upon  its  application.  The 
serpent  on  the  pole,  was  a  sufficient  remedy  for  every 
wounded  Israelite,  but  its  efficacy  depended  on  looking. 

There  was  a  sufficiency  provided  at  the  marriage  sup- 
per for  all  the  invited  guests,  but  only  those  who  accepted 
the  invitation,  partook  of  the  feast.  So  the  atonement 
made  by  Christ,  is  sufficient  for  the  world,  but  its  efficacy 
depends  upon  repentance  and  faith,  and  then  it  becomes 
redemption.  In  this  distinction,  lies  the  foundation  of  ne- 
cessity on  the  sinner's  part,  of  application  to  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ. 


"  I will  be  as  the  dew  unto  Israel:  he  shall  grow  as  the 
lily,  and  cast  forth  his  roots  as  Lebanon.'''' — Hos.  xiv.  5. 

How  beautiful  the  picture  !  How  precious  the  pro- 
mise !  What  so  gentle  and  refreshing  as  the  dew  of  hea- 
ven ?  What  so  fair  as  the  full  blown  lily  ?  What  so  firm 
as  the  deep  rooted  cedar?  And  yet,  these  are  but  faint 
representations  of  the  comforting  influences  of  the  Spirit; 
the  comeliness  which  Christ  puts  upon  his  people,  and  the 
stability  which  they  derive  from  his  faithfulness.  They 
are  great,  incomparably  great,  beyond  all  hyperbole  and 
all  conception. 


320  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

******* 

The  lily  is  rapid  in  its  growth.  So  the  grace  of  God 
sometimes  carries  on  the  work  of  sanctification  very  fast, 
in  the  young  convert's  heart.  But  it  is  the  characteristic 
of  every  Christian,  that  he  does  grow.  The  grace  of  God 
is  not  bestowed  on  him  in  vain.  Where  it  is  planted,  and 
watered  by  his  hand,  it  must  increase.  None  who  have 
received  the  grace  of  God,  will  be  satisfied  with  the  mea- 
sure they  have  received.  They  will  not  be  satisfied 
with  present  attainments.      Onward  !     Onward  !  is   their 

motto. 

*  *  *  *  *  *  * 

Let  the  lily  be  exposed  to  the  scorching  sun,  and  de- 
prived of  the  refreshing  dew,  and  its  leaves  will  droop  and 
die.  Just  so  the  Christian  ;  let  him  be  exposed  to  the 
scorching  heat  of  indwelling  corruption,  the  world's  cares, 
and  Satan's  wiles,  without  the  dew  of  God's  grace,  he  will 
not  advance  in  holiness  of  heart  and  life.  But  when  that  de- 
scends, his  leaves  stand  erect,  and  like  the  lily,  his  growth 
is  rapid.  Integrity  strengthens,  benevolence  expands,  holi- 
ness opens  in  all  its  lily-like  loveliness,  and  in  due  time  the 
plant  is  removed  to  the  Paradise  of  God,  there  to  bloom  in 
unfading  beauty. 

******* 

"  He  shall  cast  forth  his  roots  as  Lebanon.''''  Here  the 
figure  changes  from  the  lily  to  the  cedar.  Blessed  be  God, 
that  while  there  are  points  of  resemblance  between  the 
Christian  and  that  delicate  flower,  there  is  a  dissimilarity 
also.  It  is  the  privilege  of  the  Christian,  to  be  unlike  the 
lily  in  the  duration  of  its  verdure  and  its  bloom;  but  like 
the  cedar  of  Lebanon,  to  shoot  forth  his  roots  so  as  not  to 
be  shaken  from  his  hold,  by  blasts  and  storms. 

The  lily  grows  fast,  but  it  soon  fades.  It  is  easily 
plucked  up.      Therefore,   while  the   Christian  is  like  the 


FRAGMENTS.  321 

queen  of  flowers  in  his  growth,  he  is  like  the  prince  of 
trees  in  his  stability;  as  the  cedar  of  Lebanon,  which 
strikes  its  root  so  deep,  and  cleaves  with  such  tenacity  to 
its  native  soil,  that  it  can  be  plucked  up  by  no  human 
arm. 

This  denotes  the  security  which  the  believer  has  in  the 
faithfulness  of  God,  and  the  stability  which  he  acquires  by 
growth  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  God. 

By  renewed  acts  of  faith,  he  becomes  so  rooted  and 
grounded  in  Christ,  that  all  the  winds  and  storms  of  sin, 
Satan  and  the  world,  can  never  move  his  strong  hold  on 
Christ. 

Let  us  remember  where  our  security  lies.  The  Gos- 
pel teaches  us,  that  it  lies  in  union  with  Christ,  and  in  the 
immutability  of  his  love.  It  would  be  a  reproach  to  his 
Omnipotency,  if  that  should  be  vanquished,  which  his  arm 
supported.  It  would  argue  unaccountable  versatility  in 
the  divine  mind,  to  plant  and  then  to  pluck  up.  But  means 
must  be  used  for  our  establishment  in  grace  ;  for  God  does 
not  preserve  by  mere  force,  but  by  rational  means.  And 
yet  he  leaves  not  the  success  barely  to  the  operations  of 
our  own  minds,  but  secures  the  result  by  the  power  of  his 

Spirit. 

*  *  #  #  *  *  * 

Whilst  the  well-watered  soul  takes  deep  root,  his  foli- 
age extends..  His  branches  shall  spread.  It  is  true,  spirit- 
ual growth  consists  principally  in  those  things  which  are 
not  seen  by  the  eye  of  man  ;  but  when  the  hidden  graces 
of  humility,  faith,  patience,  and  love  increase,  he  natural- 
ly advances  in  holiness  of  life.  True  religion  is  of  an  aspir- 
ing nature,  continually  reaching  towards  heaven.  Its  root 
is  low,  but  its  top  is  high,  like  a  tree  planted  by  the  rivers 

of  waters. 

21 


322  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WH.     JACKSO.Y. 

GOD'S  MINISTERS  TO  KNOW  NO    MAN  AFTER 
THE    FLESH. 

It  is  of  the  last  importance,  that  God's  minister  should 
know  and  exhibit,  the  character  of  those  to  whom  he  is 
sent.  He  preaches  to  man  as  a  lost  sheep — a  sinner,  be- 
wildered in  ignorance  and  error. 

Distinctions  are  indeed  made  among  these  wanderers 
from  the  fold  of  God,  as  rulers  and  subjects  ;  rich  and 
poor ;  refined  and  rude  ;  learned  and  ignorant ;  bond  and 
free  ;  civilized  and  savage.  But  we  "know  no  man  after  the 
flrsh."  We  recognise  them,  one  and  all,  as  the  apostate 
children  of  an  apostate  head.  Were  I  to  preach  to  an  as- 
semblage of  kings,  in  their  kingly  robes,  or  to  a  congrega- 
tion of  philosophers,  who  had  squared  their  lives  by  the 
strictest  rules,  I  could  address  them  only  as  lost  sheep. 


ARTICLES  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Calvinism  and  Armenianism  are  things  with  which 
we,  as  Protestant  Episcopalians,  have  nothing  to  do.  It  is 
our  happiness  to  belong  to  a  Church,  which  has  just  enough 
of  the  former  to  ascribe  the  whole  of  salvation  to  the  free 
grace  of  God  ;  and  just  enough  of  the  latter,  to  leave  every 
man  altogether  without  an  excuse.  '  We  feel  happy  in  the 
reflection,  that  the  evangelical  articles  of  our  Church,  un- 
fettered by  system,  give  a  more  scriptural  exhibition  of 
divine  truth,  than  is  to  be  found  in  anv  words  which  man's 
wisdom  ever  devised.  While  minute  enough  to  exclude 
all  damnable  heresies,  they  are  not  so  minute  as  to  strain 
the  conscience  of  any  good  man;  nor  to  distract  and  divide 
good  men,  who  cannot  yet  see  eye  to  eye.  They  are  em- 
phatically catholic. 


FRAGMENTS.  323 


JOB  IN   HIS    AFFLICTION. 


In  the  beginning  of  his  sorrows  he  worshipped  God,  the 
very  reverse  of  what  the  adversary  anticipated  when  he 
said  "  touch  all  that  he  hath,  and  he  will  curse  thee  to  thy  face." 
He  took  away  all,  and  instead  of  cursing  God  to  his  face, 
"  he  fell  d  >wn  upon  the  ground  and  worshipped.''''  The  moment 
he  put  on  his  mourning  weeds,  that  moment  he  put  himself 
in  a  posture  of  adoration.  The  rent  mantle  and  the  pros- 
trate body,  were  but  outward  expressions  of  inward  humil- 
ity and  reverence.  If  one  eye  wras  fixed  on  his  sorrows 
the  other  was  full  fixed  upon  the  hand  that  sent  them. 

Here  is  no  arraignment  of  his  providence;  no  finding 
fault  with  his  dispensations.  He  can  still  acknowledge 
his  divinity,  adore  his  majesty,  and  celebrate  his  perfec- 
tions ;  and  thus  he  quenches  the  fiery  darts  of  the  tempter. 

Oh!  what  a  reproof  is  this,  to  those  who  refuse  to  go  up 
to  the  house  of  God,  because  the  hand  of  God  has  been 
heavy  upon  them!  How  often  have  we  known  individuals 
to  absent  themselves  from  the  sanctuary,  because  they  have 
lost  a  friend,  or  been  plunged  into  the  deep  waters  of  some 
domestic  calamity  !  Nay,  the  grief  has  been  so  inordinate, 
that  it  has  even  interrupted  private  devotion.  Whereas,  the 
very  design  of  affliction  is  to  bring  us  nearer  to  God  ; — 
and  the  more  He  chastens,  the  more  should  we  call  upon 
His  holy  name. 

If  Jacob,  in  his  father's  tent,  joined  in  the  morning  and 
evening  sacrifice  ;  Jacob  banished  from  his  home,  with  the 
cold  ground  for  his  couch,  and  a  hard  stone  for  his  pillow, 
must  wrestle  all  night  with  God.  If  Daniel  called  upon  his 
God,  three  times  a  day,  in  his  own  chamber  ; — in  the  lion's 
den  he  must  not  cease  to  worship  Him. 


324  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

THE  LAW  OF  GOD  AND  THE  LAW  OF  NATURE, 

This  law  was  originally  written  on  man's  henrt,  hut  sin 
has  defaced  it ; — it  is  therefore  re -written  in  the  Bible.  And 
here,  let  it  be  noted,  that  the  law  of 'nature,  as  it  is  called  by 
rationalists,  and  the  law  of  God,  are  in  no  respects  variant, — 
no  more  than  li^ht  emanating  from  a  glow-worm,  and  liuht 
emanating  from  the  sun  are  diverse.  Light  is  the  same 
element  however  it  may  be  produced.  There  are  not  two 
principles  of  right  and  wrong.  The  law  is  one,  though  one 
copy  be  written  on  the  heart,  another  on  tables  of  stone, 
and  a  third  in  a  scroll  or  book.  The  law  of  God  and  (he 
law  of  nature  run  in  parallel  lines.  The  one  is  as  straight, 
and  as  long,  and  as  broad  as  the  other  ;  only  one  is  brighter 
and  more  distinct  than  the  other.  They  give  sanction  to 
each  other.  I  find  nothing  in  the  Book  of  Nature,  that  is 
not  in  the  Bible,  and  nothing  in  the  Bible  that  may  not  be 
traced  upon  the  pages  of  conscience  and  reason. 


PENALTY  OF  THE  LAW. 

What  that  penalty  is,  we  must  learn  from  the  lawgiver. 
We  read  that  too  faintly  in  the  volume  of  nature  ;  plainly  in 
the  volume  of  inspiration.  Nature  tells  that  every  law  must 
have  a  penalty,  or  it  is  no  law.  Reason  tells  us,  that  under 
no  government,  human  or  divine,  ought  it  to  be,  as  with  the 
just,  so  with  the  unjust.  Fact  confirms,  what  reason  suggests. 
We  see  God's  curse  upon  transgression,  in  the  thorns  and 
briars  of  life,  in  the  earthquake  and  tornado,  in  famine  and 
disease,  in  the  winding-sheet,  the  coffin  and  the  grave,  in  all 
the  ills  and  miseries  to  which  humanity  is  heir.  As  there 
is  no  law  without  penalty,  so,  under  a  good  government, 


FRAGMENTS.  325 

there  is  no  penalty  inflicted  but  for  law  violated.  Death  is 
the  wages  of  sin.  But  as  the  law  is  but  faintly  transcribed 
in  the  volume  of  nature,  so  also  is  the  penalty.  When, 
indeed,  all  the  facts  shall  be  before  us  ;  when  the  drama  is 
closed  ;  when  the  great  Governor  deals  to  every  one  accord- 
ing to  his  deeds,  then  we  shall  see  the  full  deserts  of  sin. 
Till  then,  we  must  have  recourse  to  His  Word. 


MAN'S  INABILITY  TO  KEEP  THE  LAW. 

But  you  say  that  man  is  disabled  and  cannot  keep  the 
whole  law,  and  therefore  God  will  not  be  so  rigorous.  If 
God  had  disabled  him  ; — or,  if  he  has  lost  the  faculty  and 
retained  the  disposition,  there  might  be  some  force  in  the 
reasoning.  But  seeing  that  he  has  sold  himself  to  work  in- 
iquity, and  seeing  that  his  inability  lies  in  his  will  and  affec- 
tions and  not  in  his  faculties,  the  reasoning  loses  all  its 
weight.  "  Because  tJic  earned  mind  is  enmity  against,  God;  it 
is  not  subject  tej  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed  can  be."  Not 
because  it  has  lost  its  power.  It  is  as  vigorous  as  ever. 
Christ  does  indeed  say,  "  No  man  can  come  unto  me  except 
the  Fatherdraw  him  :" — and  in  another  place,  He  shows  that 
this  inability  lies  in  a  stubborn  will, — k<  Ye  will  not  come  :" 
and  in  another,  He  places  it  in  the  affections  which  govern 
the  will  ;  "the  world  hateth  me,  because  I  testify  of  if,  that  the 
works  thereof  arc  evil." 

Suppose,  by  way  of  illustration,  that  a  child  be  a  maniac 
or  a  paralytic,  we  all  see  that  he  would  not  then  be  subject 
to  parental  authority.  But,  suppose  his  madness  to  be  in 
the  heart;  and  suppose  him  to  put  in  a  plea  for  a  mitigated 
parental  law,  in  other  words,  to  say  outright,  that,  which  is 
only  concealed  truth, — Father  I  dislike  you  and  your  author- 
ity so  much  ;  my  affections  are  so  alienated  from  you,  that 


326  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

I  cannot  honor  you  ;  but  still  I  claim  your  affection,  and 
favor,  and  estate,  on  the  ground  that  the  commands  ought  to 
be  initialled  to  suit  my  inability.  Would  that  excuse,  or 
thai  claim  be  admitted  ? 

The  amount  of  the  argument  is,  that  obligation  diminishes, 
as  depravity  deepens,  and  so  angels  who  are  perfectly  holy 
are  bound  by  a  perfect  law  :  men  who  are  far  gone  from 
original  righteousness,  are  partially  bound  by  the  law  :  and 
devils  who  are  sunk  to  the  lowest  depths  of  depravity,  are 
completely  exonerated  from  all  obligations.  "  O  syren  song" 
to  men  whose  hearts  are  desperately  wicked! 

I  go  not  too  far,  and  with  reverence  I  say  it,  that  God 
cannot  mitigate  His  own  law,  because  it  would  be  to  invade 
His  own  holiness.  Positive  laws,  i.  e.,  those  which  concern 
outward  observances,  as  the  Sabbath  and  the  Sacraments, 
He  can  mitigate  or  annul,  but  the  moral  law,  which  eman- 
ates from  the  divine  nature,  He  will  not,  cannot  change, 
unless  He  can  change  His  divine  nature. 

This  prop  of  a  "  mitigated  law,"  will  not  stand  either  on 
the  ground  of  Scripture  or  of  reason.  Reason  would  blush 
to  say,  that  drunkeness  exonerates  a  man  from  the  law  of 
chastity,  which  it  does,  if  the  above  assumption  that  deprav- 
ity has  a  right  to  a  dispensation  from  a  perfect  law,  be  true, 
and  the  Bible  says,  "He  that  is  circumcised  is  a  debtor  to 
do  the  whole  law."  Weighed  in  its  balance,  all  the  world 
is  found  wanting,  and  the  sentence  is  Mene,  Upharsin  ; — 
"  Thy  days  are  numbered,  and  thy  kingdom  is  taken  from 
thee."  But  thank  God,  though  the  law  cannot  be  mitigated, 
the  kingdom  can  be  restored,  and  we  may  yet  reign  as  kings 
for  ever  and  ever.  "  This  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy 
of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to 
save  sinners."  "  That  which  the  law  cannot  do  in  that  it 
is  weak,  God,  sending  His  own  Son  in  the  likeness  of  sinful 
flesh  and  for  sin,  condemned  sin  in  the  flesh,  that  the  right- 


FRAGMENTS.  327 

eousness  of  the  law  might  be  fulfilled  in  us  who  walk  not 
after  the  flesh,  but  after  the  spirit." 


THE  THREE  GREAT  ENEMIES. 

As  soon  as  man  was  made,  Satan  sought  his  ruin.  As 
soon  as  Christ  was  born,  a  design  was  formed  for  His  de- 
struction. As  soon  as  the  soul  begins  to  think,  and  act,  the 
flesh  twines  its  lusts  around  it.  And  as  soon  as  man  is  born 
again,  and  Christ  is  formed  in  the  heart,  and  the  immortal 
part  begins  to  feel  its  dignity  and  value  ;  so  soon  these  three 
enemies,  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  begin  to  exert 
their  wiles,  and  lay  thetr  snares,  to  accomplish  the  destruc- 
tion of  the  gracious  principle  ;  and  as  of  old,  so  now,  with 
the  pretence  that  they  seek  our  good.  The  one  would  have 
you  to  be  "  as  gods."  The  other  will  pretend  that  it  would 
worship  with  you  ;  and  the  third  will  plead  the  necessities 
of  life.  But  all  will  seek  your  ruin.  The  world  will  invite 
you  to  a  little  of  its  sweets,  and  they  seem  to  be  very  sweet. 
The  devil  will  surest  that  it  is  too  soon.  The  flesh  will 
sa3r,  spare  thyself;  so  much  strictness  is  not  necessary. 
Each  will  allow  you  a  little  religion,  as  a  kind  of  opiate  ; 
but  all  will  cry  moderation,  by  which,  in  truth,  is  meant  that 
spirit  of  lukcwarmness,  which  is  the  abomination  of  Al- 
mighty God. 


THE  GOSPEL  THE  POWER  OF  GOD. 

It  is  said  to  be  the  power  of  God  "  unto  salvation."  The 
power  of  God  is  in  it,  more  than  in  the  word  that  gave  exis- 
tence to  the  sun,  and  moon  ;  more  than  in  the  law  and  its 
thunders  that  roared  on  Sinai  ;  more  than  in  the  word,  at 
which  the  departed   soul  was    summoned   back    from  the 


328  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.  JACKSON. 

world  of  spirits  to  its  clayey  tenement,  and  new  life  infused 
into  the  putrid  frame  of  Lazarus  ;  more  than  will  be  dis- 
played, when  all  that  are  in  their  graves  shall  hear  His  voice, 
and  shall  come  forth. 

It  is  a  greater  and  more  marvellous  exhibition  of  divine 
power,  to  regenerate  and  save  a  soul,  than  to  produce  some- 
thing out  of  nothing;  or  to  roll  suns,  and  stars,  and  comets, 
through  their  vast  orbits,  and  maintain  them  there  ;  or  to 
break  the  slumbers  of  the  dead  of  all  ages.  This  is  the 
word  and  the  work  that  proclaims  Him  the  Lord  God 
Omnipotent. 


I  WOULD  NOT  LIVE  ALWAY. 

Could  life  be  spun  out  forever,  it  would  forever  be  a 
chequered  scene  : — a  life  of  lights  and  shadows  ; 

"  With  drops  of  joy,  and  draughts  of  ill  between  ;" — 

en  eternal  succession  of  hopes  and  fears;  desires  and  dis- 
appointments ;  efforts  and  failures  ;  pleasures  and  sorrows. 

But  not  for  such  reasons  does  the  Christian,  with  Job, 
exclaim,  "I  would  not  live  alwny."  Were  these  all,  it 
might  savor  of  discontent  with  the  dispensations  of  God's 
providence;  of  weariness  with  the  world,  rather  than  of 
abstraction  from  it  ;  of  a  desire  of  ease,  rather  than  to  be 
with  Christ,  all  which  might  characterize  the  most  selfish, 
sensual,  and  worldly-minded. 

We  have  seen  sufferers  crying  for  death,  who  had  no 
hope  for  hereafter.  They  desire  to  pass  from  time  into  eter- 
nity, simply  because  the}--  feel  the  evils  of  the  present, 
but  apprehend  not  the  miseries  of  the  future.  And  this  is 
the  secret  of  the  calmness,  and  composure,  and  willingness 
to  die,  which  is  often  seen  in  individuals,  who  have  no  an- 


FRAGMENTS.  329 

| 

chor  cast  upon  the  Rock  Christ  Jesus.  For  such  to  say  "  I 
would  not  live  alway,"  is  to  wish  to  exchange  the  burnings 
of  a  fever  for  a  fire  that  cannot  be  quenched. 


The  Christian  has  much  to  gladden  his  heart,  therefore 
he  hates  not  life.  But  he  has  much  to  embitter  it,  and  there- 
fore he  would  not  prolong  it  one  thread  beyond  its  appoint- 
ed bounds.     His  language  is, — 

"  Henceforth  I  fly  not  death,  nor  would  prolong 
Life  much ;  but  rather  how  I  may  be  quit 
Fairest  and  easiest,  of  this  cumbrous  charge." 

He  is  forgiven,  but  a  cloud  sometimes  passes  over  him. 
He  is  delivered  from  the  love  of  sin,  but  at  times  he  falls. 
He  is  safe  under  the  shadow  of  Jehovah's  wings,  but  the 
lion  roars  against  him, and  occasionally, by  Divine  permis- 
sion, he  is  sifted  in  the  sieve  of  affliction. 

Who  would  prefer  exposure  to  clouds,  and  rain,  and  the 
lightnina's  shafts?  Who  would  wish  always  to  be  on  the 
ocean,  exposed  to  the  storm,  and  the  gaping  waters,  though 
in  the  most  gallant  ship?  Who  would  be  a  combatant, 
always  to  run,  and  wrestle,  or  fight,  and  never  receive  the 
prize?  Who  would  continue  ever  in  a  stale  of  probation, 
and  never  have  the  case  decided  ?  Not  the  Christian  !  The 
criminal  going  to  the  place  of  execution  may  think  the  hour 
a  moment  ;  the  mile  a  step  ;  the  slow  procession,  the  furious 
driving  of  a  Jehu.  He  may  wish  the  journey  would  never 
end.  But  the  Christian  has  hopes  and  expectations  which 
make  him  rather  cry — When  shall  I  be  there?  "Come, 
Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly." 

******* 

Shall  I  tell  you   what  the   Christian    expects   death   to 


330  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

bring  him  ?  He  expects  it  to  bring  the  realization  of  all  his 
dearest  anticipations.  He  expects  it  to  bring  him  to  the 
enjoyment  of  richer  knowledge  and  holiness,  than  all  the 
saints  of  all  ages,  have  ever  known  upon  earth.  He  expects 
it  to  re-unite  him  to  those,  whose  loss  has  occasioned  him 
so  many  tears.  He  hopes  when  he  lands  on  the  happy  shore, 
to  receive  the  congratulations  of  those  he  loved  on  earth  ; 
with  whom  he  held  sweet  fellowship,  and  went  to  the  house 
of  God.  He  expects  to  know  those  he  never  knew  before  ; 
the  winged  cherub  ;  the  naming  seraph  ;  the  glorious  com- 
pany of  the  apostles  ;  the  goodly  fellowship  of  the  prophets, 
from  Enoch  down  to  John  ;  the  noble  army  of  martyrs,  from 
righteous  Abel  to  the  last  valiant  soldier  of  the  cross,  who 
shall  die  for  Christ;  in  short,  the  whole  Church  of  God,  re- 
deemed from  every  nation  and  people  under  heaven.  He 
expects  to  be  made  a  member  of  the  family  of  God  ;  to  be 
brought  to  God,  the  Father  of  all  ;  to  union  with  Him,  to 
knowledge  of  Him,  conformity  with  Him,  and  to  the  enjoy- 
ment and  participation  of  His  grace  and  glory. 


TRUE  AND  FALSE  REPENTANCE. 

False  repentance  is  that  kind,  which  sins  in  repenting, 
and  thus  bring  more  wrath.  It  is  a  kind  of  repentance, 
which  grieves  because  it  may  not  sin,  without  repenting. 
It  is  repentance  which  would  gladly  accomplish  the  anni- 
hilation of  the  soul.  It  would  if  it  could,  curse  God  and 
die.  But  this  is  not  the  sorrow  which  is  unto  salvation. 
All  the  sorrow  which  springs  up  in  the  soul  under  the  pain  of 
punishment,  is  almost  certainly  selfish  and  false.  That 
which  springs  from  an  apprehension  of  wrath  may  be 
genuine,  not  certainly  so,  but  may  be ; — for  knowing  the  ter- 
ror of  the  Lord  we  persuade  men,  and  we  preach  wrath  to 


FRAGMENTS.  331 

come,  that  sinners  may  hear,  and  fear,  and  repent.  But  the 
anguish  of  soul  produced  by  a  consciousness  that  we  have 
acted,  in  sinning,  a  foolish,  ungrateful,  and  wicked  part, — 
that  we  have  wronged  our  souls  in  robbing  them  of  holiness  ; 
and  God,  in  coming  short  of  his  glory  :  that,  which  has  as 
much  regard  to  sin,  as  to  the  consequences  of  sin  ;  that 
which  opens  the  eyes  of  the  understanding,  and  causes  it  to 
look  backward  and  weep  ;  and  forward  as  the  mariner 
looks  to  the  rocks  or  the  whirlpool,  that  he  may  avoid  it ; 
that  which  mourns  more  at  Calvary  in  view  of  a  bleeding 
Saviour,  than  at  Sinai  beneath  its  peals  of  thunder  and  its 
flames  of  fire  ;  that  which  sorrows  as  truly  over  heaven  lost, 
as  over  hell  deserved  ;  that  which  weeps  as  copiously  for 
the  beauty  of  holiness  departed,  as  for  wrath  incurred  :  that 
is  true  repentance. 


AFFLICTION. 

God  teaches  some  of  his  best  lessons  in  the  school  of 
affliction.  There,  the  Christian  acquires  the  best  kind  of 
knowledge,  experience!  There,  he  is  taught  to  know  his 
own  heart  !  There,  he  is  made  to  feel  the  bitterness  of  sin  ! 
There,  he  becomes  acquainted  with  the  faithfulness  and 
mercy  of  God,  in  holding  him  up  in  the  dark  waters,  and 
walking  with  him  through  the  fire  of  affliction.  And  this 
experience  produces  hope  ;  a  hope  that  he  is  savingly  united 
to  Christ;  a  hope  of  the  glory  of  God  ;  a  hope  that  maketh 
not  ashamed,  keeping  us  steady  at  anchor  through  every 
storm,  and  when  every  support  fails. 


POWER  OF  GOD. 

There  is  a  peculiar  manifestation  of  the  power  of  God  in 
those  that  believe.  All  creatures  manifest  his  creative  power. 


332  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

Devils  feel  his  power  to  punish.  Angels  display  his  power 
to  govern,  nncl  uphold  in  unsullied  holiness.  But  only  those 
who  believe,  know  the  exceeding  greatness  and  mighty 
working  of  his  power,  to  recover  from  a  fallen  state  and 
then  to  maintain  ;  here  is  at  once  a  display  of  the  power  of 
his  grace  and  the  riches  of  his  mercy. 


HOW  TO  HEAR  THE  WORD. 

Pray  before  you  come,  to  prepare  your  heart.  Pray 
when  you  return,  that  the  Spirit  may  water  and  shine  upon 
it. 

To  hear  the  word  without  humility,  is  to  receive  it,  in 
unbroken  ground,  to  be  trodden  down  with  th*3  foot  of  pride. 
To  hear  it  without  candor,  is  to  receive  it  in  stony  places  ; 
it  may  produce  an  effect,  but  there  is  not  honesty  enough  to 
confess  it.  To  hear  it,  without  a  desire  to  profit,  is  to  re- 
ceive it  among  thorns  and  briers  ;  it  can  never  grow  up  nor 
become  productive.  To  receive  it  without  faith  and  prayer, 
is  not  to  harrow  it.  in.  And  no  matter  what  the  nature  of 
the  soil,  or  what  the  diligence  in  hearing,  or  what  the  labor 
in  grounding  it  in  the  memory  ;  without  the  dew  of  divine 
grace  and  the  genial  influence  of  the  Spirit,  it  will  lie,  and 
rot,  and  perish.  Failure  in  any  one  of  these  respects,  will 
blast  the  prospect  of  a  future  harvest. 


THE  TEACHINGS  OF  NATURE. 

We  are  told  that  the  best  discoveries  which  have  been 
made,  have  been  drawn  from  nature.  The  nautilus  that 
skims  over  the  bosom  of  the  ocean,  teaches  the  mariner  how 
to  trim  his  sails.     The  breast  of  the  swan,  teaches  the  ship- 


FRAGMENTS.  333 

builder  how  to  fashion  the  prow  of  his  vessel.  So  God 
sends  us  to  nature  to  teach  us  wisdom  in  morals.  "Ask 
now  the  beasts  and  they  shall  teach  thee,  and  the  fowls  of 
the  air  and  they  shall  tell  thee  ;  or  speak  to  the  earth  and 
it  shall  teach  thee,  and  the  fishes  of  the  sea  shall  declare 
un;o  thee."  They  proclaim  the  wisdom  of  using  and  not 
abusing  God's  creatures.  Each  has  an  instinct  that  prompts 
him  to  the  use  of  that  and  that  only,  and  in  such  proportion 
as  is  profitable  for  health  and  strength.  And  if  there  be 
exceptions  to  this  rule,  they  seem  to  be  placed  there  by  the 
great  Creator  himself,  to  exhibit  the  depravity  of  vice.  The 
filth  of  the  swine  ;  the  gluttony  of  the  cormorant ;  and  the 
indolence  of  the  sloth,  stand  as  so  many  beacons  to  man 
against  the  corresponding  vices  of  our  race. 


PRAYING  AND  DOING. 

Prayer  requires  more  grace  than  doing,  because  our  deeds 
are  noisy,  and  glaring,  and  attract  the  gaze  and  admiration 
of  men,  and  with  many  this  is  a  sufficient  reward.  But 
prayer  is  quiet  and  retiring.  It  asks  no  ear,  but  the  ear  of 
God,  no  eye  but  the  eye  of  Him  who  seeth  in  secret.  But 
if  you  would  do  with  effect, — pray  !  If  you  would  pray 
with  effect, — do!  Turn  your  duties  into  prayers;  and 
your  prayers  into  deeds  ; — and  prayer  will  make  your  do- 
ings sharper  than  Ith Uriel's  spear.  Pra}^er  is  the  golden 
key  which  turns  every  bolt,  locks  and  unlocks  every  heart. 
It  opens  our  bosoms,  to  pity  and  relieve.  If  men  would 
pray,  they  would  abound  in  every  good  work.  It  is  said 
that  men  cannot  pray  and  sin.  Either  they  will  leave  off 
praying,  or  sinning.  So,  neither  can  men  pray  and  be  idle. 
Either  they  will  leave  off  praying,  or  they  will  triumph  over 
sloth  and  parsimony.     Pray  always,  and  it  will  impress 


334  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

your  hearts  and  bring  every  grace  into  exercise.  It  will 
clear  your  vision  ;  elicit  your  sympathies ;  fan  your  be- 
nevolence, and  bring  down  fire  from  heaven  upon  the  altar 
and  the  sacrifice.  Pray  always,  and  the  hearts  of  men  will 
be  open  to  receive  you.  Joshua  and  his  host  might  have 
sounded  the  trumpet  around  Jericho  until  their  lungs  ceased 
to  play,  before  the  walls  had  fallen,  unless  they  had  carried 
the  Ark  to  remind  them  that  their  help  was  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord.  And  you  may  not  only  sound  with  the  trumpet, 
and  shout  with  the  voice,  but  apply  the  hammer,  the  fire, 
and  the  sword  to  the  citadel  of  man's  heart,  in  vain,  unless, 
as  John  Bunyan  would  sa}', — "while  pla}ringthe  slings  into 
the  town,  you  send  a  petition  to  our  Lord  Shaddai,  eanestly 
imploring  help  against  Mansoul." 


Clouds  will  sometimes  obscure  your  path.  "Prayer 
makes  the  darkened  cloud  withdraw."  Hope  will  some- 
times faint ; — 

"  Prayer  climbs  the  ladder  Jacob  sa\$v ' — 

and  from  its  topmost  round,  looks  through  the  long  vista  of 
time,  and  sees  the  world  a  temple  ;  the  human  family  a 
company  of  kings  and  priests  to  the  Most  High  ;  every 
hearth  an  altar  ;  and  every  heart  a  living  sacrifice  to  the 
living  God  ;  and  thus  reproves  our  fears,  and  excites  our 
hopes. 

Faith  will  languish  and  love  grow  cold  ; — "  Prayer  gives 
exercise  "  to  faith  ;  and  faith  works  by  love  ;  and  they  are 
the  two  hands  of  the  soul  to  bring  blessings  from  above, 
and  dispense  them  to  man  below. 

"  Prayer  makes  the  Christian's  armour  bright."  It  gives 
sharpness  to  the  sword,  point  to  the  arrow,  and  a  heavenly 
polish   to  the  helmet,  breast-plate   and  shield.     To  your 


FRAGMENTS.  335 

knees,  then,  O  Christian  !     and  let  every  work  be  begun, 
continued  and  ended  with  prayer ! 


MISSIONS,  DOMESTIC  AND  FOREIGN. 

Every  word  thrills  through  my  soul  !  "Domestic  !"  I 
think  of  home.  I  think  of  the  savage  Indian,  too  long  op- 
pressed and  neglected.  I  think  of  the  ignorant  poor,  in 
their  cot  and  cabin,  shut  out  by  poverty,  or  custom,  from 
the  means  of  grace.  I  think  of  the  more  affluent  in  their 
palaces,  whose  very  riches  ensnare  their  souls. 

"Foreign!"  O  what  a  field  here  opens!  The  half- 
refined  Asiatic  ;  the  degraded  African ;  the  debased  in- 
habitants of  the  isles  ;  the  Eastern  Churches  in  the  dimness 
of  their  long  eclipse  ; — by  this  word  are  brought  before  the 
mind's  eye,  like  the  vision  of  dry  bones,  very  many  and 
very  dry. 

"Domestic  and  Foreign!"  Our  field  is  the  world. 
This  is  the  motto  for  the  Missionary  Church.  If  we  would 
draw  the  people  on  to  the  Missionary  enterprize,  we  must 
talk  to  them  about  the  world.  The  world  is  given  to  Christ 
for  an  inheritance  ;  and  of  the  world,  we  must,  in  the 
name  of  Christ,  take  possession.  If  we  talk  of  less  than 
the  whole,  we  shall  not  possess  ourselves  of  a  fourth.  For 
the  world  Christ  died.  His  command  is — "Go  into  all  the 
world!"  His  promise  is, — "All  the  ends  of  the  earth 
shall  see  the  salvation  of  God  !  " 


DIFFICULTIES. 

I  know  that  difficulties  lie  before  us.  But  what  are 
difficulties  ?  I  know  that  there  are  mountains  of  ice,  and 
continents  of  burning  sand  before  us  ;  and  I  know  that  there 
are  higher,  colder  mountains  of  ignorance  and  error  and 


336  REMAIN'S    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

moral  deserts,  more  arid  and  barren.  I  know  that  there 
are  crooked  ways  and  rough  places  to  be  traversed  ;  and  I 
know  that  there  are  hearts  more  crooked  and  perverse  to  be 
encountered.     But    what,    I    ask    again,,    are    difficulties? 

"  FI  ist  thou  not  known  ;  hast  thou  not  heard,  that  the  ever- 
lasting God,  the  Lord,  the  Creator  of  the  ends  of  the  earth, 
fainteth  not,  neither  is  weary  ?"  What  are  difficulties  ?  It  is 
"He  that  sitteth  upon  the  circle  of  the  earth  and  before  whom 
the  inhabitants  are  a<  grasshoppers  ;  that  stretcheth  out  the 
heavens  as  a  curtain,  and  spreadelh  thorn  out  as  a  tent," 
who  is  working  with  us.  What  are  difficulties?  They 
come  from  flesh  ; — from  arms  of  flesh  and  1  carts  of  stone  : 
an  I  "all  flesh  is  as  grass"  before  Him;  and  as  for  the 
hearts  of  men,  He  made  them  and  can  turn  them. 

What  difficulties  can  we  meet,  that  have  not  been  met? 
or.  what  lie  in  our  way  that  did  not  lie  before,  the  first 
Christians  ?  Are  men  more  blinded  by  prejudice  now, 
th  mi  then?  faster  bound  in  ignorance,  or  more  enslaved  to 
idol  ury  ?  Is  not  the  contrary  the  fact  ?  We  ought,  not  to 
m«'n;ion  difficulties.  We  have  more  bishops  than  there. 
were  apostles  ;  and  more  presbyters  than  there  were  dis- 
ciples,  when  the  command  was  first  given, — to  go  and  preach 
to  ail  the  world  : — so  that  if  Lhere  he  any  real  difficulty,  it  is 
not  in  lack  of  numbers,  or  talents,  or  money  ;  but  in  the 
v.  rn  of  heart.  O,  if  we  had  hearts,  to  weep  over  a  sin- 
ruined  world  ;  hearts,  to  lay  all  at  the.  feet  of  Jesus  ;  hearts, 
nor  to  count  our  lives  dear  unto  us,  so  that  we  might  ac- 
complish this  work  which  God  has  given  us  to  do  ;  then 
should  we  go  as  far,  and  labor  as  abundantly,  and  bring  as 
many  into  the  Church  of  God  as  did  they;  and  then  should 
we  realize  the  full  import  of  the  promise,  "  Lo,  I  am  with 
3to  i  always."  The  command  and  the  promise  are  linked 
together,  and  the  connecting  link  is  obedience  The  moment 
the  Church  departed  from  the  commandment,  that  moment 


FRAGMENTS.  337 

God  departed  from  the  Church  ;  and  when  the  Church  re- 
turns to  primitive  obedience,  God  will  return  with  prim- 
itive blessings. 


THE  EVIL  EYE. 

On  some  things,  man  looks  with  a  jaundiced  eye,  as  holi- 
ness, and  all  that  conduces  to  it.  On  others  he  looks  through 
a  false  medium,  such  as  the  world  and  its  enjoyments.  If 
he  looks  at  Christ,  he  sees  no  comeliness  that  he  should  de- 
sire him  :  if  at  holiness,  Christian  meekness  is  pusillanimity  j 
Christian  patience,  stoicism  :  Christian  benevolence,  an  un- 
due and  lavish  expenditure  of  that  which  belongs  to  his 
family.  The  Sabbath  is  a  weariness ;  prayer  a  task ; 
reading  or  hearing  the  word,  a  penance.  In  short,  the 
whole  Christian  life  he  regards  as  a  life  of  austerity  ;  and 
the  commandments,  a  yoke  intolerable  to  be  borne.  And 
why  ?     Because  his  eye  is  evil. 

Again,  he  looks  at  the  world,  and  that  which  is  in  the 
world,  riches,  honors,  and  pleasures,  and  they  appear  all 
inviting,  substantial,  and  gay.  He  looks  at  life,  and  it  ap- 
pears to  be  a  vista  without  an  end.  He  looks  at  characters, 
and  calls  good,  evil ;  and  evil,  good.  He  looks  at  sin  andit 
appears  to  be  the  very  thing  to  be  desired  to  make  life  happy. 
And  why  V  Because  he  looks  not  upon  them  with  a  single 
eye.  He  views  death  through  an  inverted  telescope,  and 
imagines  it  to  be  far  off,  at  the  very  moment  when  it  is 
applying  the  axe  to  the  root  of  the  tree.  He  views  the 
world  and  sin  through  a  prism,  and  thus  invests  the  most 
unseemly  objects,  yea,  and  the  most  hurtful,  with  the  rich- 
ness of  the  diamond,  and  the  beauty  of  the  rainbow. 

22 


338  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

THE  LAW  OF  GOD. 

The  Law  of  God  is  one  and  entire.  Mar  a  part,  and  you 
spoil  the  whole.  It  is  a  golden  chain,  reaching  from  earth 
to  heaven  ;  and  as  long  as  man  rendered  sinless  obedience, 
it  served  to  connect  him  with  his  God.  But  the  violation 
of  one  command,  the  breaking  of  a  single  link  in  the  chain, 
renders  the  whole  chain  useless  as  to  its  first  design. 


THE  HOPE  OF  THE  HYPOCRITE. 

It  is  like  "  a  spider's  web."  Like  the  spider,  the  hypo- 
crite weaves  his  web,  his  hope,  his  trust,  out  of  his  own 
bowels.  It  is  the  creature  of  his  fancy  ;  spun  from  the 
materials  of  self-righteousness.  He  may  call  it  a  garment 
to  hide  his  shame,  but  it  is  a  mere  web,  unfit  to  cover  a 
naked  soul,  and  easily  rent.  He  may  call  it  a  house,  but  it 
is  unavailable  to  "  hide  from  the  storm,  or  cover  from  the 
tempest."  He  may  hold  fast  by  it,  but  it  shall  fall,  and  he 
perish  in  the  ruins.  There  is,  there  can  be,  no  shelter,  safety, 
nor  security,  in  the  cobweb  of  self-righteousness.  If  not 
stript  off  in  the  world,  it  will  be  swept  away  by  the  first 
breath  of  eternity. 


AFFLICTION. 

Affliction  has  its  dangers  as  well  as  prosperity.  The 
one  is  a  smooth  sea  with  rocks  beneath  the  shininsr  surface. 
The  other  is  a  troubled  ocean,  in  a  dark  and  stormy  night* 


In  the  bitterness  of  his  anguish,  the  Christian  is  sometimes 


FRAGMENTS.  339 

tempted  to  conclude,  that  he  is  not  a  child  of  God.  Into 
this  snare  Gideon  fell.  "  If  the  Lord  be  with  us,  why  then 
is  all  this  befallen  us  ?"  And  so  did  David,  when  the  sor- 
rows of  death  compassed  him.  "I  said  in  my  haste  [  am 
cutoff  from  before  thine  eyes :" — and  at  another  time,  "  I  am 
forgotten  as  a  dead  man  out  of  mind."  But,  in  reply  we 
may  ask,  "  What  son  is  he,  whom  the  Father  chasteneth  not?" 
Who  is  that  Patriarch  yonder,  under  the  command  of  God, 
binding  his  son,  his  only  son,  as  a  victim  for  the  altar  of 
burnt  sacrifice?  It  is  theFatherof  the  Faithful  and  the  friend 
of  God.  Who  is  that,  hunted  like  a  partridge  upon  the  moun- 
tains, and  driven  into  dens  and  caves  ?  It  is  the  man  "  after 
God's  own  heart," — and  the  destined  ruler  ot  His  people. 

Who  is  that  destitute,  afflicted,  and  tormented  man  ?  It 
is  he,  of  whom  God  testified,  that  he  was  His  "  servant,  a 
perfect  and  an  upright  man,  one  that  feareth  Godand  es- 
eth  evil." 

Who  are  these  arrayed  in  white,  before  the  throne,  and 
whence  came  the}''  ?  "  These  are  they  who  came  out  of 
great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes,  and  made 
theiri  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  Therefore  are  they 
before  the  throne  of  God,  and  serve  Him,  day  and  night,  in 
His  temple." 

No  affliction,  no  series  of  afflictions,  are  sufficient  to  prove 
that  we  are  out  of  favor  with  God.  On  the  contrary,  if  we 
neither  faint  under  them  ;  nor  despise  them  ;  but  endure 
them  ;  it  is  a  good  proof  of  our  adoption  into  the  family  of 
God.  "  If  ye  endure  chastening,  God  dealeth  with  you  as 
with  sons."  Job  in  the  gate  of  the  city, — sitting  as  a  ruler 
among  the  people,  never  gave  so  striking  a  proof  of  his  in- 
tegrity to  God,  as  Job  lacerated,  bleeding,  and  spit  upon, 
among  the  ashes.  Even  Satan  seems  compelled,  tacitly  at 
least,  to  acknowledge  him  perfect  and  upright. 


340  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

FAITH  AND  LOVE  KNOWN  BY  OBEDIENCE. 

The  existence  of  faith  and  love  in  the  heart,  can  only  be 
known  by  obedience.  God  himself,  speaking  after  the  man- 
ner of  men,  professes  ignorance  of  the  fact  except  as  it  is 
illustrated  by  obedience.  "Now,"  says  he,  "I  know  that 
thou  lovest  me."  The  nature  of  a  tree  is  known  by  its  fruits. 
You  may  lay  open  the  bark  ;  3rou  ma}r  trace  the  motion  of 
the  sap;  you  may  see  the  verdure  of  the  leaves,  and  the 
beauty  of  the  blossoms;  but  you  are  as  ignorant,  as  if  the 
tree  were  twice  dead,  and  plucked  up  by  the  roots,  whether 
it  be  a  good  tree  or  not,  until  you  have  seen  the  quantity, 
and  tasted  the  qualit}'  of  the  fruit.  It  is  not  quantity  alone, 
nor  quality  alone,  but  both  combined,  which  decide  the  char- 
acter of  the  tree.  And  so  you  ma}r  see  a  man  in  the  Church 
of  God,  nourishing  like  a  green  bay  tree,  in  orthodox  opinion, 
and  budding  like  a  rose  of  many  flowers  in  profession  ;  but 
it  is  obedience  that  justifies  a  well-formed  opinion  of  him,  as 
a  tree  of  righteousness,  of  the  Lord's  own  right  hand  plant- 
ing.    "  B}r  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 


ABRAHAM'S  FAITH. 

When  called  of  God  to  leave  his  country  and  kindred,  he 
disputed  not  the  word,  but  went  ; — and  when  in  the  prom- 
ised land,  though  God  "gave  him  none  inheritance  in  it,  no 
not  so  much  as  to  set  his  foot  upon,"  he  patiently  sojourned 
in  it ; — and_  when  he  had  no  child,  he  acted  as  if  a  numerous 
progeny  stood  before  him.  When  commanded  to  offer  up 
his  only  son  Isaac,  the  child  of  promise,  he  obeyed,  account- 
ing as  assuredly  thatGod  was  able  to  raise  him  up,  as  though 
redemption  from  the  dead  was  an  event  of  ordinary  occur- 
rence.    In  each  instance,  we  perceive  that  his  faith  was  a 


FRAGMENTS.  341 

simple  trust  in  God's  word,  and  implicit  acting  upon  it. 
Was  a  promise  set  before  him  ?  Faith  gave  a  present  sub- 
stance or  reality  to  it.  Was  it  a  distant  promise  ?  Faith 
gave  as  real  an  evidence  to  it,  as  if  it  were  seen,  handled, 
and  tasted.  Was  it  a  word  of  command  without  a  promise  ? 
Faith  placed  the  promise  of  another  time,  by  the  command 
of  this,  and  thus  obedience  became  easy  ;  and  thus  "  Faith 
wrought  with  his  works,  and  by  works,  faith  was  made 
perfect." 


THE  DEATH  OF  CHRIST. 

While  the  death  of  Christ  shows  us  our  transgression, 
and  our  deserts,  it  shows  us  also  our  safety.  The  extended 
arms  of  the  Saviour  point  us  to  our  danger  and  our  refuge. 
Christ  endured  the  hiding  of  his  Father's  countenance,  that 
it  might  shine  upon  us.  He  thirsted,  that  we  might  drink 
water  from  the  wells  of  salvation.  He  gave  up  the  ghost, 
that  he  might  give  us  eternal  life.  He  pardoned  a  sinner 
in  his  last  extremity,  to  show  that  he  had  power  to  save  the 
chief  of  sinners.  In  his  dying  breath,  he  sent  forth  an  as- 
piration that  whispers  in  every  penitent  believing  sinner's 
ear, — "I  have  finished  transgression  : — I  have  made  an  end 
of  sins: — I  have  made  reconciliation  for  iniquity: — I  have 
brought  in  everlasting  righteousness  : — It  is  finished  ! — 
Nothing  is  wanting  to  render  pardon  sure  ;  deliverance  from 
hell  certain  ;  salvation  complete!  All  is  finished  that  heav- 
en decreed  ;  the  prophets  foretold  ;  the  patriarchs  hoped  for; 
and  now  the  faithful  saying  is  written  on  every  page  of  the 
New  Testament,  wherever  the  banner  of  the  cross  is  unfurl- 
ed ;  on  each  sacrament,  and  on  every  means  of  grace; 
"Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners." 


342  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

WORTH  OF  THE  SOUL. 

The  real  value  of  an  object,  is  that  which  one  who  knows 
its  worth  will  give  for  it.  He  who  made  the  soul,  knew  its 
worth,  and  gave  his  life  for  it. 


INCREASE  OF  FAITH. 

Do  you  ask  how  faith  is  to  be  obtained  ?  and  how  in- 
creased ?  One  answer  will  suffice  for  both.  "  Faith  is  the 
gift  of  God  ;" — the  effect  of  a  divine  operation  upon  the  mind, 
and  "  if  }-e  have  not,  it  is  because  ye  ask  not."  It  is  to  be 
sought  by  prayer,  and  yet  not  so  as  to  lead  to  the  neglect 
of  other  means.  We  derive  life  from  God.  but  we  derive 
it  in  the  use  of  means.  So  faith  is  said  to  come  from  God, 
but  it  comes  by  the  word  ;  therefore  the  word  must  be  care- 
fully studied.  And  it  is  increased  by  the  exercise  of  reason, 
searching  out  what  doctrines  are  revealed  in  the  word.  Thus 
the  Bereans  searched  the  Scriptures  daily,  and  therefore, 
many  of  them  believed.  Faith  strengthens  by  a  clearer 
knowledge  of  God  and  Christ.  Hence  it  is  said  to  be  life 
eternal,  to  know  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  he  has  sent. 

Faith  strengthens  by  the  review  of  our  own  and  others' 
experience.  What  God  has  done,  is  only  a  copy  of  what 
He  will  do.  If  we  would  remember  His  former  mercies, 
we  should  not  doubt  His  goodness  and  faithfulness  for  the 
future,  for  His  hand  is  not  shortened  ;  His  interest  is  not  aba- 
ted. David,  in  his  infirmity  said, — "  God  hath  forgotten  to 
be  gracious."  But  when  he  remembered  "  the  years  of  the 
right  hand  of  the  Most  Hioh,"  then  his  faith  crew  strong. 
It  is  for  this  very  end,  that  God  has  transmitted  to  us  the 
records  of  His  former  providences,  that  "  the  generation  to 


FRAGMENTS.  313 

come  might  know  them,  and  declare  them  to  their  children, 
that  they  might  set  their  hope  in  God." 

While,  then,  there  is  a  God  ready  to  give  ;  while  you  have 
reosonio  exercise  in  searching  the  Scriptures  ;  and  while 
you  have  mercies  to  remember,  and  declarations,  and  prom- 
ises from  God,  say  not  that  you  cannot  obtain  faith ;  or 
having  it,  cannot  increase  and  strengthen  it. 


CHRIST  TO  CONQUER  SATAN. 

As  the  "  seed  of  the  woman,"  the  first  injured  of  our  race^ 
He  maintains  perpetual  enmity,  and  a'perpetual  conflict, 
with  that  old  serpent,  the  Devil.  He  has  undertaken,  and 
will  go  through.  He  has  already  triumphed  over  him  in 
temptation  ;  on  the  cross  ;  and  in  the  grave.  He  is  now 
contending  with  him  in  us,  and  soon  will  beat  him  down 
under  our  feet,  as  surely  as  He  once  defeated  him  in  His 
own  person.  He  remembers  the  injury  done  to  the  woman, 
and  as  certainly  as  He  is  the  "  seed  of  the  woman,"  so  cer- 
tainly will  He  "  bruise  the  serpent's  head." 


I  WILL  BE  THEIR  GOD. 

It  implies  a  right  and  title  to  all  that  God  is,  personally 
and  essentially.  But  here  we  are  lost.  Can  we  measure 
the  ocean  with  a  span  ?  It  is  more  than,  I  will  be  their 
Friend  and  Benefactor.  It  is  more  than  everlasting  life. 
It  is  more  than,  I  will  give  you  the  blessings  of  heaven  and 
earth,  time  and  eternity.  He  will  give  the  most,  that  infinite 
goodness  can  give,  and  therefore  he  gives  Himself,  with  all 
His  ineffable  fulness.  All  His  attributes  are  exercised  in' 
behalf  of  His  people.     He  gives  His  mercy  to  deliver  them 


344  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

from  guilt;  and  to  comfort  them  in  their  afflictions:  His 
wisdom  lo  counsel  and  direct;  His  omnipotence  to  guard 
and  protect  ;  His  holiness  to  sanctify  ;  and  His  unchauge- 
ableness  for  the  rock  of  our  security, — "For  all  that  I  have 
is  thine."  Carnal  reason  may  ask, — how  can  these  things 
be  ?  They  are  indeed  words  of  wonder  ;  but  they  are  words 
of  soberness  and  truth,  for  "  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath 
spoken  them." 


THE  GLORY  OF  GOD  AND  THE  HAPPINESS  OF  MAN. 

These  two  objects  are  blended  together,  by  the  hand 
that  united  soul  nnd  body,  in  one  man  ;  light,  and  heat,  in 
one  sun  ;  holiness  and  happiness,  in  one  heaven  ;  and  what 
God  has  joined  together,  let  not  man  put  asunder. 


ALL  FOR  GODS  GLORY. 

Subordinately,  gifts  are  for  our  own  advantage;  but 
supremely  for  His  glory.  If  the  divinely  instituted  order 
be  reversed,  the  blessing  is  turned  into  a  curse  ;  that  which 
was  lor  our  advantage,  becomes  injurious  ;  and  that  which 
God  made  for  good,  is  converted  into  evil.  The  flame  which 
was  to  have  been  to  us  light,  and  heat,  is  made  a  consuming 
fire.  Wealth  employed  otherwise  than  as  God  wills,  is  a 
great  talent,  buried  in  the  earth,  which  will  bring  great  con- 
demnation. Influence,  employed  for  self-aggrandizement, 
while  it  advances  us  in  power,  honor,  and  rank,  only  carries 
us  to  a  precipice,  to  plunge  us  into  deeper  degradation.  In- 
tellect employed  to  acquire  fame,  is  making  to  ourselves 
pinions  to  bear  us  away  to  the  land  of  darkness,  where  every 
passing  spirit  throws  up  the  bitter  taunt,  "  Art  thou  also 
become  like  unto  us  ?" 


FRAGMENTS.  345 

CONFESSING  CHRIST. 

Is  it  not  reasonable  that  we  should  profess  what  we  be- 
lieve ? — if  we  are  His  servants,  wear  His  livery  ? — if  we  are 
His  soldiers,  stand  in  His  ranks? — if  we  are  His  children, 
sit  at  His  table '? 


GLORY  OF  GOD. 

God  hns  no  frowns;  the  law  no  curse;  conscience  no 
sting  ;  and  even  enemies  have  no  power  to  hurt  those  who 
make  the  glory   of  God  the  chief  end  of  their  existence. 


2  Cor.  v  :  1. — We  know  that  if  our  earthly  house 
of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a  build- 
ing of  god,  an  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal 
in  the  heavens. 

Probably  the  Apostle  had  in  view  the  Tabernacle  in  the 
wilderness,  and  the  Temple  at  Jerusalem.  By  these  two 
illustrations,  he  contrasts  the  present  and  future  condition 
of  the  people  of  God.  The  latter,  possessed  all  that  the 
former  had,  and  more  ;  and  that,  in  increased  perfection  and 
glory.  So  heaven  has  all  that  earth  has,  and  more  ;  divest- 
ed of  all  its  evils;  and  its  good  swelled  to  infinity,  and 
stretched  through  eternity. 

******* 

The  Tabernacle  was  ever  moving  from  place  to  place  : — 
the  Temple  was  fixed  and  permanent.  "Here  we  have  no 
continuing  city,  but  we  seek  one  above."  All  around  us  is 
moving,  and  we  are  moving  also.  "Man  that  is  born  of 
woman,  never  continueth  in  one  stay  :" — and  the  world 
and  the  fashion  of  it,  passeth  away,  like  a  shadow  or  a  pa- 


34G  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WiM.    JACKSON. 

geant  in  a  show.  We  are  ever  passing  from  one  stage  to 
another ;  and  ever  flying  from  one  to  another  state;  and  the 
lights  and  the  shades  of  life  pass  over  us,  like  lights  and 
shadows  of  sun  anil  cloud,  on  the  mountain-top.  If  we  en- 
joy health,  it  goes: — if  riches,  they  " lake  to  themselves 
wings  and  fly  away:"  if  honors,  they  fade  like  a  leaf,  or 
some  competitor  steals  the  rose  and  leaves  the  thorn  with 
us  :  if  pleasures,  they  perish  in  the  using.  And  the  very 
world  in  which  we  live,  "  passelh  away."  We  go  like  a 
ship  before  the  wind, — and  the  world  changes  like  the  ebb- 
ing and  the  flowing  tide. 

But  in  that  bright  world  to  which  we  go,  there  is  a  city 
which  hath  foundations,  whose  builder  is  God.  It  is  full  of 
glory,  riches,  honor,  pleasures,  joys,  and  they  are  immova- 
ble, and  they  who  possess  them  are  immovable.  There  is 
no  sea  to  toss  its  troubled  waves  on  high  ;  no  storm  to  agi- 
tate ;  no  sun  to  set  ;  no  sickness  to  invade  ;  all  is  fixed  as 
Mount  Zion,  which  cannot  be  moved  : — all  is  immutable,  as 
God's  eternal  throne. 


The  holy  place  of  the  Tabernacle  had  no  windows, 
but  was  illuminated  by  artificial  light.  The  temple  on  the 
contrary  had  man}'  windows,  and  was  lighted  with  the  true 
light  which  cometh  from  heaven.  In  this  our  Tabernacle, 
we  derive  our  light  through  men,  at  best,  poor  dim  tapers, 
often  so  destitute  of  the  precious  oil,  that  they  are  but 
smoking  wicks.  But  there  the  true  light  shincth,  without 
the  frailties  of  men,  or  the  imperfection  of  ordinances,  to  cast 
the  slightest  shade.  O,  the  light  of  heaven  will  Be  glorious  ! 
There  shall  be  no  night,  nor  error  there,  and  they  need 
"  no  candle,"  no  such  flickering  guides  as  we  ;  "  neither  the 
light  of  the  sun,"  not  even  the  light  of  the  Gospel,  for  the 
Lord  God  giveth  them  light. 


FRAGMENTS.  347 


Such  is  the  heavenly  state  !  O  no  !  As  well  might  we 
hold  up  a  glow-worm,  and  say — such  is  the  sun  !  The 
Temple,  with  all  its  gorgeous  adornment,  and  sacred  sym- 
bols, and  holy  services,  and  golden  cherubim,  and  even 
with  its  manifestations  of  the  Divine  presence,  can  give  us 
but  a  faint  conception  of  that  blessed  state,  with  its  precious 
privileges,  and  holy  pleasures,  and  glorious  ministry,  and 
sublime  adoration.  They  are  no  more  to  it,  than  the  sha- 
dow to  the  substance. 


THE  LORD'S  SUPPER,  A  TOKEN  OF  THE 
COVENANT. 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  a  token  to  us,  of  His  perpetual 
remembrance  that  the  covenant  is  always  in  His  mind  ;  and 
it  is  a  wisely  adapted  token.  We  may,  in  our  incredulity, 
think  that  God  hath  forgotten  to  be  gracious,  but  this  me- 
morial is  a  standing  reproof  to  such  unbelieving  fears.  In 
this  ordinance  God  seems  to  say — Have  I  not  made  for  thee 
a  covenant?  Have  I  not  promised  never  to  break  it  ?  Have 
I  not  placed  my  seal  to  the  promise  ;  and  have  I  not  in  vir- 
tue of  this  promise,  raised  up,  for  eighteen  hundred  years, 
a  succession  of  servants  to  proclaim  the  covenant,  exhibit 
the  seal,  and  declare  my  fidelity  ?  And  have  they  not, 
from  time  to  time,  administered  to  you  the  sacred  emblems  ? 
By  this  provision,  I  declare  that  I  remember  my  covenant 
that  is  between  me  and  you.  Had  God  forgotten  it,  the 
Ministry  of  the  New  Covenant,  and  the  Sacrament  had  long 
since  ceased. 


348  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

REJOICING  IN  HOPE  OF  THE  GLORY  OF  GOD. 

If  we  limit  our  reflections  to  present  views,  and  to  pres- 
ent enjoyments,  our  delight  may  be  real  but  it  must  be  lim- 
ited. Dwell  more  upon  the  hope  of  eternal  blessedness  ! 
Contemplate  the  pleasure  at  God's  right  hand  for  evermore  ! 
Look  beyond  the  present  scene !  Cast  your  eyes  across 
the  river  of  death  !  It  is  but  a  narrow  stream,  and  see  there 
your  bright  and  eternal  inheritance  !  Set  before  your  mind, 
the  glorious  manifestation  God  will  there  make  of  himself. 
Behold  the  vast  assemblage  of  angels  ;  and  "  spirits  of  just 
men  made  perfect ;"  the  patriarchs,  the  prophets,  the  apos- 
tles, the  noble  army  of  martyrs  !  Let  faith  conceive  of  Him 
who  died,  communicating  Himself  in  all  the  brightest  dis- 
coveries of  His  glory ;  and  in  all  the  riches  of  His  grace  ! 
See  Him  crnlherino;  from  every  kindred,  and  people,  those 
who  have  "washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  whim  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb."  Behold  Him  pouring  out  blessings, 
which  "  eye  hath  not  seen"  and  of  which  "ear  hath  not 
heard,"  upon  the  heads  of  all,  who,  through  grace,  have 
been  faithful  unto  death  !  Let  faith  appropriate  all  these 
to  yourselves  ! — and  you  will  then  learn  whence  the  Chris- 
tian derives  his  delight ;  how  he  can  be  happy  without  the 
enjoyments  of  time  and  sense  ;  and  why  it  is,  that  they 
who  have  the  love  of  God  and  the  hope  of  glory  in  their 
breasts,  heave  no  sigh  for  the  pleasures  of  the  world. 


THE    CHURCH. 


But  where  is  Zion  ?  A  column  still  erect  amidst  the 
ruins  of  nations!  Was  ever  such  a  thing  known, — a  cita- 
del without  a  breach,  though  surrounded  by  enemies,  with 


FRAGMENTS.  34  9 

engines  of  war  on  every  side,  through  all  time;  a  vessel 
unbroken,  though  dashed  for  ages  by  the  billows  against 
the  rocks ;  a  flock,  and  not  a  lamb  lost  though  in  the 
midst  of  ravening  wolves.  Yet  thus  it  is  with  Zion  !  Zion 
is  still  a  city  of  holiness,  the  temple  of  the  Most  High,  with 
her  thousands  of  priests,  and  ten  thousands  of  joyful  wor- 
shippers. No  bleeding  victims  expire  upon  her  altars.  No 
human  sacrifice  burns  in  her  sacred  fires.  No  abominable 
rites  defile  her  walls  ;  but  myriads  of  living  offerings  are 
presented.  Praise  swells  forever  through  her  dome,  and 
"  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  God  is  upon  her." 


GOODNESS    OF  GOD. 

How  good,  we  never  shall  know  until  we  see,  and 
comprehend  more  fully  and  perfectly,  than  we  now  do,  his 
glory,  as  God  over  all,  and  his  humiliation,  as  "a  worm, 
and  no  man."  And  yet  we  may,  we  can,  we  must  en- 
deavor to  grasp  that  which  is  incomprehensible  ;  to  fathom 
that  which  is  unfathomable  ;  to  measure  that  which  is  il- 
limitable ;  and  to  know  that  "which  passeth  knowledge." 
He  who  aims  at  the  zenith,  which  he  can  never  reach, 
shoots  higher  than  he  who  aims  at  the  loftiest  mountain- 
top  ;  and  thus  it  is  with  the  man  who  aims  to  "  compre- 
hend with  all  saints,  what  is  the  breadth,  and  length,  and 
depth,  and  height;  and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ." 


When  justice  barred  the  gates  of  Paradise,  and  guarded 
with  his  flaming  sword  the  tree  of  life,  he  made  a  new 
paradise,  and  planted  a  new  tree  of  life,  which  is  Christ ; 
and  opened  new  rivers  of  life,  which  are  his  gracious  in- 
fluences, and  no  lion,  or  flaming  cherubim  are  in  the 
way. 


350  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    W1I.    JACKSON. 

REPENTANCE  DELAYED. 

The  longer  men  remain  impenitent,  the  harder  it  is  to 
repent.  In  the  tender  years  of  youth,  you  looked  forward 
to  manhood  as  the  time.  Manhood  came,  and  you  looked 
forward  to  a  period  of  easy  worldly  circumstances.  Then 
you  were  tossed  by  the  vicissitudes  of  fortune,  and  the 
cares  of  a  family.  Then  you  looked  forward  to  the  time, 
when  all  should  be  quiet  and  calm,  but  it  never  came  ; — 
and  now  you  look  forward  to  old  age.  But  of  all  periods 
of  this  human  life,  none  is  so  unsuitable  to  a  change  of 
heart  and  conduct,  even  if  all  your  worldly  plans  have 
been  consummated,  as  old  age  ;  for  how  shall  they  "  do 
good,  who  have  been  accustomed  to  do  evil "?"  It  is  easier 
to  make  port  in  a  storm,  than  in  a  calm,  and  it  is  easier  to 
turn  to  God  in  youth,  though  it  be  driven  by  the  tempests 
of  passion,  than  in  old  age,  when  those  tempests  have  sub- 
sided. 

You  begin  to  think  of  turning  to  God,  not  to-day,  but, 
to-morrow.  Did  you  not  think  so  a  year  ago  ?  Have  you 
not  often  thought  so  ?  and  are  you  any  nearer  the  accom- 
plishment of  your  purpose  now,  than  then?  Whence 
came  that  thought  ?  Did  it  emanate  from  Him,  from 
whom  all  holy  desires  do  proceed  ?  I  tell  you  nay.  It 
came  from  the  deceiver.  He  asks,  he  desires  no  better  se- 
curity for  the  destruction  of  the  soul,  than  this  one  resolve, 
I  will  at  a  future  }'ear  repent  and  turn  to  God. 


GOD  A  FATHER. 

When  God  promises  to  be  our  Father,  it  is  as   much 
as  to  say,  you  shall  have  my  paternal  affection.     "  I  h:ive 


FRAGMENTS.  351 

loved  you  with  an  everlasting  love,  therefore  with  loving- 
kindness  have  I  drawn  you." 

You  shall  have  my  fatherly  protection.  "In  the  fear 
of  the  Lord  is  strong  confidence,  and  his  children  shall  have 
a  place  of  refuge." 

You  shall  have  my  fatherly  compassion.  "  As  a  father 
pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord  pitieth  them  that  fear 
him." 

You  shall  have  my  fatherly  provision.  Son,  "  all  that 
I  have  is  thine."  I  will  provide  for  your  bodies,  "  take," 
therefore,  "  no  thought,  saying,  what  shall  we  eat,  or  what 
shall  we  drink,  or  wherewithal  shall  we  be  clothed  ? "  I 
will  provide  for  your  souls  : — "  If  any  man  eat  of  this  bread 
he  shall  live  forever." 


THE    BRIDEGROOM'S  VOICE. 

Men  may  go  very  far,  and  yet  come  short  of  the  king- 
dom of  heaven.  Christians  may  slumber,  but  their  lamps 
are  burning.  They  may  be  alarmed  at  the  sudden  ap- 
proach of  death,  but  they  soon  trim  their  lamps,  and  the 
alarm  subsides,  and  then  with  joyous  hearts,  they  enter  in- 
to the  marriage.  They  might  be  spared  the  alarm,  if  they 
would  keep  their  lamps  trimmed,  and  their  loins  girt,  and 
their  eyes  open,  watching  for  the  Lord's  coming. 

On  the  contrary,  the  alarm  of  the  foolish  increases  at 
every  step.  They  are  alarmed  at  the  cry.  They  tremble 
when  they  cannot  obtain  oil.  Their  fears  gather  black- 
ness when  they  find  the  door  closed.  They  sink  down  in 
utter  despair  at  the  sound  of  the  voice  within, — "  Verily  I 
say  unto  you,  I  know  you  not." 


3-52  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKSON. 

FULLNESS  AND  FREENESS  OF  DIVINE  GRACE. 

An  invitation  more  full,  more  free,  more  universal,  more 
sincere,  God  could  not  have  given.  He  has  sent  his  "  min- 
isters dailv,  rising  up  early  and  sending  them."  In  plain 
language  they  have  proclaimed  the  fulness  of  divine  grace, 
the  freeness  of  the  divine  promises.  That  all  might  feel 
free  to  come,  they  have  gone  to  the  poor,  the  maimed,  the 
halt,  and  the  blind,  in  the  lanes  of  the  city,  to  invite  them 
to  eat  bread  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 


And  oil  for  your  lamp  is  freely  offered.  By  oil  we 
mean  grace,  the  grace  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  To  say  that  it 
cannot  be  obtained,  is  either  to  deny  the  fulness  of  Him,  in 
whom  dwells  the  fulness  of  the  Spirit,  without  measure  ; — 
or  else,  to  say,  that  it  is  held  at  too  high  a  price.  But  when 
and  by  whom,  I  pra}r  }"ou,  was  the  infinite  fulness  of  the 
Godhead  exhausted.  The  fountain  of  grace,  is  like  the 
fountain  of  light, — ever  full,  giving,  impoverishes  not.  If 
you  say  that  you  are  without  money, — we  answer,  that  as 
long  as  you  think  of  buying,  it  is  unattainable.  But  as  it 
is  beyond  all  price,  so  it  is  without  price.  That  which  is  too 
costly  for  you  to  buy,  is  not  too  much  for  God  to  give. 


SPIRITUAL  DEATH. 

This  death  of  the  soul,  is  spiritual ;  so  it  is  a  living 
death  ;  a  suffering  death  ;  a  death  of  degrees;  that  is,  the 
dead  sinner  is  a  living  rebel.  His  inactivity  concerns  only 
that  which  is  good.  His  corruption  progresses  through  all 
his  existence.  It  is  a  death  which  renders  him  capable  of 
sufferings,  intensely  acute.      So  after  the   body  ceases   to 


FRAGMENTS.  353 

live,  he  lives  a  never-dying  death,  in  the  midst  of  ever- 
burning fire,  tortured  forever,  with  a  never-dying  worm. 
Such  is  man — dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  and  such  his 
prospects,  heir  of  death  eternal.  Oh  man  !  "  thou  hast 
destroyed  thyself."  Is  there  no  hope  ?  O  yes  !  "  In  me," 
says  Christ,  "is  thy  help."  He  is  the  "  life  ; "  and  this 
life  is  the  direct  counterpart  of  that  death.  It  implies  that 
in  him,  is  holiness  for  our  corruption,  justification  for  our 
guilt,  and  a  title  to  glor}7-,  for  our  condemnation.  Whatev- 
er we  need,  for  pardon,  peace,  reconciliation,  and  everlast- 
ing life,  is  fully  provided  in  Christ,  and  freely  offered 
through  Christ.  So  that  if  any  man  is  lost,  it  is  because  he 
will  not  be  saved.  If  destroyed,  he  is  the  sole  cause  of  his 
own  destruction.  If  he  die  the  death,  it  will  be  because 
he  would  not  come  to  Christ  that  he  might  have  life. 


MAN'S  INABILITY. 

Do  an}*  think  they  cannot  come  to  Christ  ?  Christ,  in- 
deed, says  in  one  place,  "  no  man  can  come  to  me  except 
the  Father,  who  hath  sent  me,  draw  him  ;"  but  he  gives 
the  reason  in  another  place,  why  they  cannot  come, — be- 
cause they  "  will  not  come."  It  is  the  inability  of  Joseph's 
brethren,  who  "  could  not  speak  peaceably  to  him,  because 
they  hated  him."  It  is  the  inability  of  a  child  who  obeys 
not  a  parent,  because  he  is  head-strong,  and  self-willed. 
It  is  the  inability  of  a  man  who  cannot  speak  the  truth,  for 
no  other  reason  than  because  he  loves  lying.  So  the  ina- 
bility of  any  sinner  to  come  to  Christ,  is  because  something 
else  has  his  heart  and  his  affections,  and  he  will  not ;  an 
inability,  which  only  makes  him  the  more  inexcusable,  and 
aggravates  his  condemnation. 

God  will  excuse  idiots  and  infants  on  the  score  of  ina- 
23 


354  REMAINS    OF    THE     REV.     WM.    JACKSON. 

bility,  but  he  will  not  so  excuse  rational  men,  who  have 
faculties  to  love  earthly  objects,  but  not  to  love  God  ;  and 
faculties  for  believing  men,  but  not  for  believing  God  ;  for 
obeying  men,  but  not  for  obeying  God.  Their  inability  is 
their  guilt,  and  will  be  their  ruin. 


BEWARE  OF  HYPOCRISY. 

I!'  it  be  worth  while  to  have  the  appearance  of  godli- 
ness,  much  more  is  it  to  have  the  reality.  Who  would 
prefer  the  shadow  to  the  substance  ?  the  casket  or  the  tin- 
sel to  the  true  gold"?  Besides,  as  it  has  been  well  re- 
marked, "it  is  far  easier,  safer,  and  more  pleasant,  to  be 
that  a  man  aims  to  appear,  than  to  keep  up  the  appear- 
ance of  that  which  he  is  not  :"  that  is,  it  is  easier  to  be  a 
consistent  Christian,  than  a  consistent  hypocrite.  Nothing 
can  be  more  difficult  than  to  be  a  consistent  hypocrite; — 
but  to  be  a  Christian,  is  to  the  new  man,  pleasant  and  easy, 
because  it  agrees  with  his  new  nature.  A  king  can  readily 
act  the  pait  of  a  king,  but  for  an  actor  to  do  it,  costs  labor, 
and  study,  and  weariness  of  the  mind,  and  when  the  scene 
is  closed,  he  is  but  an  actor.  He  has  neither  throne,  crown 
nor  dominion. 


THE  VALUE  OF  WISDOM. 

A  beautiful  gradation  is  to  be  observed  in  the  estimate 
made  by  Solomon.  He  does  not  compare  wisdom  with  the 
baser  metals,  but  with  those  called  precious.  He  first  pre- 
fers it  to  silver,  then  to  gold,  more  precious  ;  then  to  ru- 
bies, vet  more  precious  ;  and  makes  his  climax  by  the  de- 
sires of  the  mind  ; — "all  the  things  thou  canst  desire,  are 
not  to  be  compared  with  it."    It  is  more  to  be  preferred, 


FRAGMENTS.  355 

more  useful,  more  profitable,  more  satisfying,  attended  with 
far  less  anxiety,  and  more  durable,  and  incorruptible. 


Wisdom  is  represented  as  a  queen,  extending  gifts  to 
her    subjects,    adapted    to    their    various    and    diversified 
wishes.     Is  long  life  a  blessing?     "Length  of  days  is  in 
her  right  hand;"  that  is,  she  puts  her  followers   in   a   way 
to  insure  health  and  old  age  ;   but   if  that  should  be  denied 
by  an  all-wise  Providence,   she   certainly  puts  them  in  the 
way   to  eternal    life.        Are    riches  and    honors    accounted 
blessings?   "In  her  left,  hand  are  riches  and  honor;" — cer- 
tainly the  riches  of  grace    and   glory,    and   the    honor   that 
comes   from   God.     Is    pleasure  an   object  worthy  of  pur- 
suit?     "  Her  ways  are  ways  of  pleasantness."     There   is 
pure  delight  and    satisfaction    in  them.     Can  peace    alone, 
make  smooth  and  pleasant  tin' rugged  road  of  life?      "  Her 
paths  are  j)e/ice  :" — peace    in   the    end,    and    peace   all   the 
journey  through.     Is  the  happiness  of  heaven  an  objec'  of 
desire?     Does  the  soul  shrink  alike   from    misery    and    an- 
nihilation ?      "  She  is  a  tree  of  life  to  them  that  lay  hold  up- 
on her."     She  is  to  them,  what  the  tree  of  life  in  Paradise 
would  have  been  to  our  first  parents,  had    they   never  sin- 
ned,— a  permanent  source  of  enjoyment  and  life. 

****** 

It  procures,  or  rather  brings  with  it,  the  choicest  bless- 
ings. Il  makes  iis  possessors  rich  in  faith  ;  abundant  in 
the  exercise  of  that  grace,  which  lays  hold  upon,  and  gives 
the  soul  a  right  or  privilege  to  appropriate  to  itself,  all  the 
"unsearchable  riches"  of  Christ,  and  the  exceeding  great 
and  precious  promises  of  his  word: — rich  in  hope;  in  a 
firm  expectation  and  persuasion  of  all  the  promised  bless- 
ings ;  especially,  in  the  hope  of  a  glorious  immortality  ;— . 


356  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSOX. 

rich  in  love,  the  brightest  gem  that  sparkles  in  the  throne 
of  God; — rich  in  good  works;  "laying  up  in  store  for 
themselves  a  good  foundation  against  the  time  to  come;" 
— rich  in  all  holy  enjoyments ;  in  communion  with  God; 
in  fellowship  with  the  saints  ;  in  a  perpetual  banquet  on 
the  Redeemer's  flesh  and  blood  ;  in  "  peace  which  passeth 
all  understanding  ;"  in  quietness  and  assurance  for  ever; 
in  the  heart-felt  satisfaction,  which  follows  from  a  course 
of  obedience  to  God's  commandments;  and  a  firm  reliance 
for  salvation  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

And  all  this  is  but  a  pledge  and  foretaste  of  riches,  and 
greater  blessings,  as  durable  as  precious.  We  can  hold 
earthly  things,  at  most,  no  longer  than  the  present  life ; 
but  the  benefits  of  wisdom  will  remain  with  us  forever. 
They  will  increase  with  our  age,  and  double  as  other  things 
decline  ;  and  the  moment  when  they  will  be  most  precious, 
will  be  when  life  is  departed.  And  when  the  gates  of  hea- 
ven open  upon  our  astonished  vision,  then  how  rich  and 
glorious  will  they  be  !  Could  all  the  monarchs  of  earth 
combine  to  bring  together  the  whole  of  their  splendor, 
wealth  and  glory,  and  confer  it  upon  one  individual,  it 
would  bear  no  comparison  with  the  wealth,  splendor  and 
glory,  of  one  of  wisdom's  poorest  children,  in  the  kingdom 
of  heaven. 

Well  may  Solomon  say,  "  the  merchandize  of  it  is  bet- 
ter than  the  merchandize  of  silver,  and  the  gain  thereof 
than  fine  gold."  Well  may  the  apostle  esteem  them  "  un- 
searchable riches."  Well  may  the  Saviour  call  it,  the 
"  pearl  above  all  price." 

Nor  is  wisdom  less  beautiful  as  an  ornament,  than  val- 
uable as  a  treasure.  Gold,  pearls,  and  precious  stones, 
decorate  the  body  ;  but  wisdom  infinitely  more  adorns  the 
soul.      There  is  no  ornament,  like  an  ornament  of  grace  ; 


FRAGMENTS.  357 

no  golden  chain,  like  a  chain  of  good  works  ;  no  ruby  so 
beautiful,  as  the  divine  image  in  the  soul  of  man. 


But  men  are  as  ambitious  of  honor,  as  of  wealth — so 
wisdom  holds,  in  the  same  hand,  riches  and  honor.  When 
she  enriches,  she  exalts,  not  with  honor  that  is  "  an  empty 
bubble,"  but  with  that  which  never  fades.  There  is  that,  in 
religion  itself,  which  ennobles  and  elevates  the  character. 
The  truly  religious  man,  is  a  high-minded  man,  an  honora- 
ble, philanthropic,  and  godlike  man.  His  neighbors  may 
make  a  greater  figure  in  the  world,  but  he  is  possessed  of 
more  intrinsic  worth.  A  heavenly-wise  man  in  rags,  rivals 
a  carnal  prince,  in  purple  and  gold.  He  sustains  a  higher 
relation,  and  a  higher  character.  He  is  more  useful  in  his 
life,  and  more  honored  in  his  death.  Ho  sheds  a  brighter 
lustre  as  he  passes  on,  and  leaves  a  better  name  when  he 
is  gone.  Lazarus  was  more  honorable,  and  more  honored 
in  his  rags,  than  Dives  in  his  robes.  Alexander  the  Great 
has  not  left  such  a  name,  as  Stephen  the  Martyr.  The  one 
received  honor  from  men,  the  other,  from  God. 

But  the  distinguishing  display  is  reserved  for  another 
state  of  being  ; — as  the  chief  honor  of  a  prince  is  display- 
ed on  the  day  of  his  coronation  ;  and  of  a  soldier  after  his 
victory  ;  and  of  a  wrestler  after  the  race  is  run.  Here  we 
are  in  our  ministry  ;  here  we  are  fighting  and  wrestling, 
and  when  these  are  over,  and  at  the  end,  then  comes  the 
crown. 


ADOPTION. 

The  greatest  act  of  kindness  that  can  be  shown  to  a 
fatherless  child,  is  to  adopt  him  ;  and  that  mercy  is  to  be 
found  in  God.     He  looks  upon  man  the  sinner,  in  his  out- 


35S  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.   JACKSON. 

cast,  lost,  and  ruined  stale,  and  in  love  makes  liim  bis 
child.  He  was  i htj  child  of  God,  by  creation,  as  die  angels 
are,  but  that  privilege  he  forfeited,  and  then  had  no  more 
right  than  the  devils  themselves  to  call  Cod  Fathek. 
But  now  through  grace,  he  is  made  the  child  of  God,  by 
adoption. 

Men  adopt  children,  either  because  they  have  no  child- 
ren of  their  own,  or  because  of  something  prepossessing  in 
the  person  adopted,  orbeeause  he  is  die  child  of  a  near  friend 
or  relative  ;  but  none  of  these  apply  to  ourselves  and  God. 
He  bus  myriads  of  spirits  whom  he  had  created  ;  and  rnun 
lias  no  claim  upon  his  goodness,  but  ihe  very  contrary — fie 
is  a  rebel  and  apostate,  and  has  become  the  child  of  ihe 
devil.  Hence,  while  it  is  in  every  case  an  act.  of  benev- 
olence in  man  to  bestow  such  a  favor  ; — in  God,  it  is grace 
and  mercy.  For  there  is  guilt  to  be  pardoned*  ingratitude 
to  be  forgotten,  rebellion  to  be  forgiven,  Man  adopts  ihe 
child  of  his  friend,  rarely  a  stranger,  never  an  enemy;  but 
when  \vc  were  enemies,  in  ihe  hand  of  an  enemv,  God  sent 
and  brought  us, — renewed  and  adopted  us,  and  taught  us 
by  his  spirit  to  say,  "  Abba,  Fattier.  " 

******* 

There  is  mercy  in  the  beginning,  and  mercy  runs  through 
every  subsequent  period.  God  does  not  lake  us  up  as  we 
do  the  children  of  the  poor  destitute,  to  educate  and  maintain 
for  a  season,  and  then  turn  adrift  to  provide  lor  themselves. 
No.  His  mercy  is  everlasting,  He  is  an  "everlasting  Fa- 
ther," and  we  are  his  children  forever,  on  earth  and  in 
heaven,  through  time  and  through  eternity. 


PROMISES  AND  DUTIES. 
It  becomes  us   to  inquire  what  is  our  duty  in  reference 
to    those  events   which  God  has   decreed,   prophets    have 


FRAGMENTS.  359 

foretold,  saints  waited  for,  and  the  whole  creation  gron neth 
to  realize.  Every  doctrine,  prediction,  and  promise,  his  ii.s 
correspondent  duty  ;  and  ihe  duty  is  written  in  characters 
not  less  legible,  than  ihe  doctrine,  prediction,  anil  promise. 
If  it  is  written,  "  by  grace  are  ye  saved  ;"  it  is  also  written, 
"believe  on  ihe  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be 
saved."  "  Work  our  your  own  salvation."  If  it  is  pro- 
mised,— "  behold  I  will  pour  out  my  Spirit  upon  you  ;'*  it 
is  also  written,  "  He  will  give  his  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that 
ask  him."  If  it  is  predicted  that  the  kingdom  of  Christ 
shall  be  extended  ;  it  is  also  written,  "  how  can  they  be- 
lieve in  him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ?  and  how  can 
they  hear  without  a  preacher?  and  how  can  they  preach, 
except  they  be  sent  ?  " 

Our  duly,  then,  is  lo  pray  and  labor  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  God's  promises  and  purposes;  and  our  prayers 
and  labors  must  reach  as  far  as  they,  that  is,  they  must 
embrace  the  whole  family  of  man.  In  other  words,  ihe 
same  spirit  of  benevolence  that  is  in  Christ,  the  Head, 
must  pervade  the  members;  and  "if  any  man  have  not 
the  spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his."  They  may  call 
themselves  by   his    name,  but   he    will   say,   "I  know   ya 


COMMUNION  WITH  GOD. 

This  communion  consists  in  giving  and  receiving.  The 
believer  gives  to  God  his  hear!  his  faith,  his  obedience, — 
in  tine,  all  that  he  is,  and  all  that  he  possesses;  and  God 
gives  himself  to  the  believer.  He  cheers  him  with  his 
presence,  strengthens  him  with  his  grace,  instructs  him  by 
his  Spirit,  and  out  of  the  fulness  of  his  treasury,  communi- 
cates grace  upon  grace.     The  consequence  is,  that  during 


360  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

this  holy  intercourse  between  God  and  the  soul,  the  believ- 
er rejoices  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  gloiy.  But 
painful  experience  tells  us,  that  in  this  life,  our  communion 
with  God  is  at  best  but  incomplete.  Perfect  communion, 
is  reserved  for  that  new  state  of  being,  when  we  shall  walk 
with  God  and  the  Lamb,  in  the  streets  of  the  new  Jerusa- 
lem. This  communion  is  not  only  imperfect,  it  is  often 
totally  interrupted,  and  to  all  appearance,  the  renewed 
soul  relapses  into  its  original  darkness,  and  he  imagines, 
that  there  is  no  difference  between  himself  and  those  who 
are  plainly  "  without  God  in  the  world."  But  in  the  sight 
of  the  all-searching  eye,  there  is  a  marked  difference. 

Who  knows  not,  that  when  the  shining  sun  is  eclipsed, 
he  hath  not  swerved  from  his  centre,  and  that  soon  again 
his  bright  beams  will  illuminate  and  cheer  the  world  ?  And 
why?  Because,  though  now  in  darkness,  the  world  still 
moves  on  in  her  appropriate  orbit,  and  all  that  intercepts 
the  light  will  soon  be  removed.  Just  so  the  believer; 
though  he  may  have  lost  the  divine  presence,  yet  he  has 
not  lost  his  love ;  and  though  in  darkness,  yet  he  moves  on 
in  the  path  of  Christian  duty,  and  soon,  "  light  shall  rise  in 
obscurity,  and  his  darkness  shall  be  as  the  noon-day." 
For  the  present,  he  mourns  his  Saviour's  absence  ;  and 
the  depth  of  his  mourning  proves  the  sincerity  of  his  love; 
and  his  language  is,  "  O  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find 
him  !  "  "  Return,  O  Lord,  how  long?  "  His  soul  watcli- 
eth  for  the  Lord,  more  than  they  who  wait  for  the  morn- 
ing. 


THE   GUILT    OF    UNIMPROVED   OPPORTUNITY. 

Not  to  stretch  out  a  helping  hand  to  the  suffering,   al- 
though they  may  escape  by  other  means,  is,  as  far  as  we 


FRAGMENTS.  361 

are  concerned,  to  promote  their  destruction.  There  can  be 
no  innocent  neutrality,  when  we  have  the  power  of  avert- 
ing evil  or  securing  good  to  our  neighbor.  If  the  inhabit- 
ants of  Meroz  came  not  to  the  help  of  the  Lord,  the  curse 
of  God  rests  upon  them  as  truly,  as  if  they  fought  in  the 
enemy's  ranks.  If  the  priest  and  the  Levite  pass  by  the 
man  who  fell  among  thieves,  the  guilt  of  robbery  and  mur- 
der lies  at  their  door.  If  I  have  the  ability  of  rescuing  a 
drowning  man  and  do  not,  I  am  as  really  guilty  as  if  I 
plunged  a  dagger  to  his  heart.  If  I  bear  not  witness  in  fa- 
vor of  my  neighbor,  when,  with  a  clear  conscience,  I  could 
do  it,  I  join  hands  with  those  who  "  bear  false  witness" 
against  him.  And  so  the  sentence  of  the  last  day  will  pro- 
ceed on  the  ground  of  omission  ; — "  I  was  an  hungered,  and 
ye  gave  me  no  meat ;  thirsty,  &c." 


BENEVOLENCE. 

While  benevolence  has  a  tender  heart,  compassonate 
eye,  and  hands  as  soft  as  the  down  of  innocence,  she  is 
shod  with  brass,  to  spurn  at  dangers,  and  trample  difficul- 
ties under  foot. 


INDIVIDUAL  INFLUENCE. 

To  say  that  you  are  but  one,  and  have  no  influence,  and 
therefore  your  example  ii  of  no  importance,  is  mock  mod- 
esty, and  that  which  you  would  not  allow  another  to  say  of 
you.  To  reason  thus,  is,  as  if  each  particle  of  water  in 
the  bosom  of  the  deep  should  sa}r,  I  am  but  one,  and  a 
small  one,  and  so  should  pass  off  into  a  vapor  :  where  then 
would  the  ocean  be  ?  Or,  as  if  each  particle  of  matter 
should  say,  I  am  but   a  grain,  and  so  should  fly  off  into 


GG2  REMAINS*    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

the  immensity  of  space  :  where  then  would  the  world  ho, 
in  which  we  live  '?  and  where  the  sun,  the  moon,  and  stars, 
which  give  us  light  and  heat?  That  von  are  but  one,  is 
the  very  reason  why  you  should  not  act  singly,  when  von 
may  co-operate  with  others.  Let  nil  the  drops  combine, 
and  ihey  will  form  an  ocean  of  benevolence,  which  will 
begirt  every  island,  and  wash  the  shores  of  every  conti- 
nent. 

The  whole  consists  of  its  parts.  You  are  a  part,  and 
von  owe  it  10  yourself,  your  neighbor,  your  country,  ;md 
the  world,  to  cling,  in  every  good  work,  to  your  kindred 
parts. 


GOODNESS  OF  GOD. 

We  are  encompassed  by  mercies  on  every  side.  At 
every  time,  and  in  every  thing,  God  bus  given  us  instances 
of  his  goodness.  Every  season  has  returned  with  its  pro- 
per blessing;  every  day  with  its  needful  supply,  and  every 
week  with  its  hallowed  day  of  rest. 


RICH   AND    POOR. 

It  comes  not  by  chance,  that  one  man  is  rich  and  an- 
other poor.  It  is  God  who  gives  power  to  get  wealth. 
"  The  gold  and  the  silver"  are  his,  and  he  bestows  them 
upon  whom  he  will  ;  and  it  is  God  who  makes  poor.  He 
appoints  one  man  to  a  palace,  and  another  to  a.  cottage. 
Nor  is  this  the  disposition  of  mere  arbitrary  power.  If  is 
the  arrangement  of  infinite  goodness,  guided  by  infinite 
wisdom. 

God  has  assigned  to  every  man  that  rank  in  life,  and 


FRAGMENTS.  3G3 

that  proportion  of  this  world's  goods,  exactly  suited  to  liis 
capacity.  To  some,  he  gives  ten  talents,  to  some,  five,  to 
others,  one  ;  "  to  every  man  according  to  Ids  ability.''''  He  who 
would  have  a  larger  portion  than  Providence  has  assigned 
him,  would  be  like  a  large  bird  with  small  wings,  (he 
weight  of  whose  body,  being  disproporlioned  to  his  pinions, 
would  bear  him  down  continually  to  the  earth.  "  In  what- 
soever stale  we  are,  let  us  learn  therewith  to  be  content." 


It  is  easier  for  the  poor  to  say,  "give  us  this  day  our 
dnilv  bread,"  than  for  those  who  have  goods  laid  up  for 
many  years.  Gratitude  burns  warmer  and  brighter  upon 
the  poor  man's  altar,  than  upon  his,  who  feels  himself  inde- 
pendent. Faith  will  be  stronger  in  the  man,  who  receives 
daily  proofs  of  God's  fidelity  to  his  promises,  than  in  him, 
who  loses  sight  of  Providence,  in  his  own  skill,  foresight, 
energy  and  enterprise.  The  poor  more  readily  feel  the 
vanity  of  the  world,  and  are  more  easily  convinced  of  the 
substantial  glories  and  realities  of  heaven,  than  they  who 
find  their  pleasures  in  the  pomps,  vanities,  and  glories  of 
the  world,  and  whose  vision  is  obscured  by  the  false 
glare  of  worldly  grandeur. 


LOVE  OF  MONEY. 

Once  allow  yourselves  to  love  it,  and  }7ou  know  not 
where  to  stop.  And  it  does  not  require  large  possessions 
to  create  the  appetite.  The  man  with  a  cottage,  or  an  acre 
of  land,  or  the  youth  with  a  dollar,  or  the  child  with  a 
penny,  may  be  as  really  caught  by  the  enemy's  bait,  as 
the  lord  of  a  manor,  or  the  proprietor  of  millions.  And 
this   last,    once  conceived,    "  blinds  forth  sin,"  the  sin  of 


364  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

peculation,   fraud,    oppression,    wrong  and  robbery, — and 
sin  when  it  is  finished,  bringeth  forth  death. 


WHY  CHRISTIANS   DO  SO  LITTLE. 

It  is  because  the}'  believe  so  little.  They  do  not  half 
believe  that  a  glorious  day  is  coming.  They  do  not  half 
believe  in  the  efficacy  of  divinely  appointed  means.  They 
do  not  half  believe  that  "they  who  turn  many  to  righteous- 
ness, shall  shine  as  the  stars  forever  and  ever." 

Another  reason  is,  that  they  pray  so  little.  They  do  not 
consider  that  three  petitions  out  of  six,  in  that  form  of  sound 
words  given  by  Christ,  as  a  model  to  his  disciples,  have 
reference  to  the  evangelizing  of  the  world.  They  pray 
vastly  more  for  the  supply  of  their  temporal  wants,  than 
they  do  for  the  coming  of  Christ's  kingdom.  Did  the  one 
bear  an}'  proportion  to  the  other,  they  would  be  as  diligent 
in  serving  the  Lord,  as  they  are  "  diligent  in  business." 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  GIVING. 

Now  what  are  your  obligations  ?  They  go  far  beyond 
one  dollar  a  \Tear.  When  there  were  but  few  of  God's 
people  to  compare,  one  with  another,  a  man  of  large  faith 
said, — "  of  all  that  thou  shalt  give  me,  I  will  surely  give 
the  tenth  to  thee."  And  in  another  age  and  under  another 
dispensation,  a  son  of  Abraham  said, — "  Behold,  Lord,  the 
half  cf  my  goods  I  give  to  the  poor."  It  has  been  well  said, 
that  "  a  farthing  less  than  a  tenth  should  make  an  enlight- 
ened and  intelligent  Christian  suspicious  of  incurring  the  sin 
of  sacrilege." 


FRAGMENTS.  365 

THE  REWARD  OF  TURNING  MEN  TO  GOD. 

He  who  la}rs  himself  out  to  do  good  to  the  souls  of  men 
shall  not  be  disappointed  in  his  hopes.  Whether  he  be 
parent,  pastor,  or  teacher,  God  will  not  suffer  him  to  labor 
in  vain,  and  spend  his  strength  for  nought.  He  may  cast 
in  his  seed,  and  it  may  be  many  a  day  before  he  reaps, 
but  in  due  season,  his  harvest  will  come.  If  not — still  his 
reward  is  sure.  God  will  give  to  every  man  his  penny, 
though  not  one  head  should  spring  nor  a  single  ear  be  pro- 
duced. We  are  accountable  only  for  our  labor,  not  for  our 
success. 

This  man  is  twice  blessed.  He  reaps  two  harvests,  and 
receives  two  rewards.  He  is  blessed  in  his  deed  ;  that  is, 
in  doing  his  work  ; — and  then,  after  that,  "  his  works  do 
follow  him."  He  reaps  a  harvest  in  this  world.  He  is  re- 
warded with  a  deeper  experience,  and  a  fuller  enjoyment. 
God  will  make  his  soul  as  a  well-watered  garden,  where 
faith  and  hope  shall  ripen  to  full  assurance,  and  love  be 
as  a  fruitful  vine,  and  joy  and  peace  fill  the  air  with  their 
sweet  perfumes  :  and  when  translated  to  the  world  on 
high ;  tongue  cannot  tell  how  glorious  his  reward  will  be. 
Thus  much,  and  this  is  all  we  know,  he  shall  shine  "as  the 
stars  forever  and  ever." 


PLEA  FOR  SEAMEN. 


They  are  on  a  voyage,  that  will  either  make  or  ruin  them 
for  ever.  O,  let  us  give  them  a  gallant  ship,  that  shall 
bear  up  against  the  oppositions  of  the  world ;  outride 
"  a  sea  of  fire,   then  rest  on  Zion's  hill."     Give  them  a 


3()G  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM,    JACKSON. 

pilot  who  never  slumbers  nor  sleeps;  who  knows  the 
fair  haven,  whore-  they  would  he,  and  who  never  yet  suf- 
fered shipwreck.  Give  them  an  anchor,  that  will  keep  the 
soul  steadfast,  amidst  the  storms  of  this  present  life,  though 
the  waves  rise  up  to  the  heavens,  and  a  cable  that  cannot 
be  broken,  though  the  North  wind  lash  the  sea  into  fury- 
Give  them  a  chart,  which  will  show  every  rock,  and  shoal, 
an  1  quicksand,  in  the  ocean  of  life.  Give  them  a  star  to 
steer  their  course  by,  with  such  wisdom,  that  they  may  not 
strike  the  lee-shore  unawares. 

The  Church  is  that  ship;  Christ  is  that  pilot  ;  Faith  is 
the  cable;  and  the  anchor,  Hope;  the  chart  is  the  Word 
of  God  ;  and  His  Glory,  the  polar  star.  With  all  these, 
they  go  with  a  fair  wind,  under  full  sail  to  the  haven 
above, 

"  Where  anchored  safe,  the  weary  soul, 
Shall  find  eternal,  rest." 


CHILDREN  IN  THE  CHURCH. 

Of  all  who  have  passed  from  this  world  to  the  kingdom 
above,  little  children  form  by  far  the  largest  part.  Now 
if  they  formed  a  part  of  the  Jewish  Church,  which  is  typi- 
cal of  the  Christian  ;  and  it  they  formed  a  part  of  die 
heavenly  kingdom,  which  is  the  Christian  Church,  perfected 
and  glorified,  who  will  venture  to  affirm  that  they  ought 
not  lo  have  a  place  in  the  Church  upon  earth.  It  would  be 
a  strange  flaw  in  the  chain.  It  would  be  a  strange  anomaly 
in  the  divine  procedure,  that  Jewish  children  went  from  a 
Church  state  on  earth  to  the  Church  in  heaven  ;  but  that 
Christian  children  are  cut  off, — thrown  out  of  the  Church 
on  earth,  yet  as  soon  as  they  die,  enter  the  heavenly. 


FRAGMENTS.  SG7 

RELIGION  IN  THE  HEART. 

It  is  heart  work.  Hence,  the  promise  is,  "  I  will  give 
them  a  new  heart:"  the  demand  is,  "  My  son,  give  me 
thy  heart:"  the  declaration  is,  "  With  the  heart  man  be- 
lieveth  unto  righteousness."  Repentance  is  the  sorrow  of 
a  broken  and  contrite  heart.  Love  burns  on  the  altar  of  the 
heart.  The  heart  being  right,  all  else  is  right.  It  is  the 
fountain.  Purily  it,  (and  unless  there  be  great  ignorance  in 
the  understanding,)  the  stream  of  action  that  flows  through 
the  life,  will  be  right.  If  it  be  healthy,  the  whole  system 
will  be  healthy.  If  it  be  right  towards  God,  the  life  will 
be  kight  toward  men. 


GOD'S  CARE  OF  LITTLE  CHILDREN. 

God  hns  always  shown  his  regard  to  children  ;  by  en- 
circling them  with  the  arms  of  his  Providence  ;  by  bringing 
them  within  the  scope  of  his  promises;  by  making  them 
party  in  his  covenants  ;  by  commanding  and  directing  his 
servants  concerning  them.  To  Abraham,  He  said, — "I 
will  be  a  God  10  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  :  " — and  He  com- 
manded him  to  put  the  seal  of  the  Covenant  on  his  child- 
ren;— and  He  brought  up  all  the  little  ones  out  of  the  house 
of  bondage,  and  caused  them,  with  their  fathers,  to  be 
"baptized  in  the  cloud  and  in  the  sea," — and  carried  them 
"as  on  eagles'  wings,"  through  the  wilderness.  When  the 
people  stood  before  God  at  ihe  Mount,  to  covenant  with 
God,  their  children  were  there.  WUen  He  gave  laws  to 
the  fathers,  it  is  with  the  command  to  teach  them  to  their 
children.  When  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  the  Gospel-Church 
is    established,  a  place    is    still  reserved    for   children, — 


36S  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

"  Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  When  parents  are 
baptized,  their  households  are  baptized  with  them.  When 
Gospel  promises  are  made,  they  are  made  to  parents,  and 
to  their  children.  When  Gospel  duties  are  enjoined  on 
Gentile  converts,  this  holds  a  prominent  place,  to  bring  up 
their  children  "in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." 
By  all  which,  and  especially  by  our  Saviour's  words  and 
actions,  when  they  brought  young  children  to  him,  we  per- 
ceive God's  good  will,  and  our  duty  towards  them. 


CHILDREN  TO  BE  RELIGIOUSLY  TAUGHT. 

Reason  would  teach  us,  if  Revelation  did  not,  that  child- 
hood was  the  most  propitious  period  of  life  to  instill  those 
precepts,  ingraft  those  truths,  and  form  those  habits,  which 
become  the  people  of  God,  who  are  emphatically  styled  a 
"  holy  "  and  "  peculiar  people."  It  is  common  sense,  to 
put  the  seal  to  the  wax  while  it  is  soft ;  to  bud  the  tender 
twig  with  the  fruit  it  should  bear ;  to  go  to  the  fountain- 
head  and  guide  the  current  of  the  stream  ;  and  to  lay  hold 
upon  the  young  tendrils  of  the  shooting  vine,  and  to  train 
them,  as  we  would  have  them  to  go. 


THANK-OFFERINGS. 

Though  Jesus  Christ  is  only  meritorious,  we  may  not 
serve  God  with  that  which  costs  us  nothing.  "Under  the 
law,"  says  Whcatley,  "  every  parent  was  required  to  bring 
something  that  put  them  to  an  expense  :  even  the  poorest 
were  not  wholly  excused,  but  were  obliged  to  do  something 
though  it  were  but  small."  Though  no  such  law  now  ex- 
ists, yet  surely  the  law  of  gratitude  forbids  that  the  amount 
of  thank-offerings  be  withheld.     Nay  we  think  that  thank- 


FRAGMENTS.  369 

offerings  should  be  richer  under  the  Gospel,  than  under  the 
Law ;  inasmuch  as  our  burdens  are  lighter,  and  our  bless- 
ings greater. 


BAPTISMAL  OBLIGATIONS. 

Samuel,  when  dedicated  to  the  Lord,  did  not  cease  to 
be  an  object  of  care,  and  interest,  and  love  to  his  parents. 
He  was  their' s  still,  and  much  more  to  their  comfort.  And 
you,  when  you  give  your  children  to  God,  are  brought  into 
a  closer  connexion,  and  are  united  by  a  more  sacred  tie, 
and  have  in  them  an  interest  unknown,  unfelt  before.  By 
birth,  you  are  common  members  of  an  earthly  family ;  by 
Baptism,  they  are  brought  with  you  into  the  visible  family 
and  household  of  God.  By  birth,  they  are  your's  in  the  tie 
of  nature  ;  in  Baptism,  those  ties  are  strengthened  by  the 
bonds  of  Christian  fellowship.  By  birth,  you  are  bound  to 
bring  them  up  for  life  ;  by  Baptism  you  are  laid  under  the 
most  sacred  obligation,  to  bring  them  up  for  God  and 
eternity. 

Think  you,  that  you  have  done  all,  when  you  have  had 
your  children  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  holy  Trinity?  No. 
That  is  a  transaction,  which  should  influence  your  whole  con- 
duct towards  them  in  after  life.  God  does  not  immediately 
take  the  gift  to  himself,  but  for  a  time  commits  it  to  your 
"nurture  and  admonition;"  and,  in  effect,  says, — Be  }Te 
nursing  fathers  and  nursing  mothers  to  these  children.  In 
all  your  conduct  towards  them,  remember  that  you  act  for 
me.  When  you  punish  them,  do  it  as  for  me,  as  an  act  of 
Church  discipline,  that  they  may  be  my  obedient  children. 
When  you  instruct,  remember  that  it  is  for  me,  that  they 
may  know  and  do  my  will.  When  you  choose  their  occu- 
pation in  life,  remember  that  it  is  for  me,  that  it  must  be. 
24 


370  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

such  as  will  enable  them  to  honor  and  glorify  me.  And 
in  all  the  example  you  set  them,  still  remember,  it  is  for 
me,  "that  they  seeing  your  good  works,  may  glorify  your 
Father  who  is  in  heaven."  And  if  one  of  these  little  ones 
perish  through  your  neglect,  "  I,  the  Lord,  will  require  it 
at  }-our  hands." 


"HARD  TIMES." 

And  why  are  the  times  hard  ?  If  sins  may  be  seen  in 
the  punishment,  this  is  the  answer, — Because  we  have  rob- 
bed God.  "Wherein  have  we  robbed  thee  ?  In  tithes  and 
in  offerings.  Ye  are  cursed  with  a  curse,  for  ye  have  robbed 
me,  even  this  whole  nation." 

Will  ye  say,  Because  he  thus  punishes  us,  we  will  sin 
more "?  Must  God  first  remove  the  rod,  or  we  first  put 
away  our  sin?  Plainly  the  latter.  "  Bring  ye,"  says  He, 
"  all  the  tithes  into  the  storehouse,  that  there  may  be  meat 
in  mine  house,  and  prove  me  now  herewith,  saith  the  Lord 
of  Hosts,  if  I  will  not  open  you  the  windows  of  heaven, 
and  pour  you  out  a  blessing,  that  there  shall  not  be  room 
enoueh  to  receive  it."* 


FAITH,  HOPE,  AND  CHARITY.. 

All  are  from  heaven,  but  Charity  alone  returns  thither 
again.  Faith  and  Hope  are  made  for  the  world,  for  time, 
for  man  in  his  probation  state.  Love  is  for  time  and  eternity. 
It  is  brightest  in  heaven.  It  outlasts  the  fleeting  breath,  and 
comes  from  the  furnace,  like  the  gold  that  is  purified. 
Faith  is  lost  in  sight;  and  Hope  in  fruition  ;  but  a  sight  of 
God  in  glory,  and  the  fruition  of  heavenly  enjoyment,  only 

*  Mai.  iii.  8—10. 


FRAGMENTS.  371 

serve  to  enkindle  the  soul  to  the  highest  degree  of  fervor 
in  Love.  In  a  world  of  bliss,  alone,  Love  yields  entire 
obedience  to  the  two  great  commandments  of  the  law, — 
"  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God,  with  all  thy  heart, 
and  thy  neighbor  as  thyself." 


LOVE  OF  CHRIST. 

The  first  property  of  this  affection  is  delight ;  delight  in 
the  character,  office,  and  will  of  Christ.  He  who  loves 
him,  would  not  that  one  jot  or  tittle  were  added  to,  or  taken 
from  him.  Less  of  holiness  or  wisdom,  less  of  justice  or 
truth,  would  so  mar  the  matchless  assemblage  of  excellen- 
cies that  meet  in  his  person,  that  to  the  eye  of  perfect  love, 
it  would  be  as  a  spot  in  the  sun,  or  as  if  the  rainbow  were 
robbed  of  one  of  its  tints. 

He  who  loves  Christ  delights  to  contemplate  his  glorious 
person.  Wherever  he  goes,  the  language  of  his  heart  is,  'I 
would  see  Jesus.'  He  looks  for  him  through  the  lattices  of 
his  closet ;  and  when  the  hallowed  morn  arrives,  he  says, 
I  will  hasten  to  the  sanctuary  and  "  see  the  goings  of  my 
God,  my  King."  And  in  the  breaking  of  bread,  he  sees 
him  in  the  most  lovely  character,  as  the  Lamb  that  was 
slain,  opening  the  seals  of  the  everlasting  Gospel. 

The  second  property  of  Love,  is  good-will.  In  reality, 
man  can  be  of  no  service,  nor  profit  to  God  :  and  yet  Christ 
has  set  up  an  interest  in  the  world,  which  he  delights  to 
see  maintained,  and  he  has  left  its  maintenance  to  men. 
He  has  established  a  kingdom,  with  which  his  glory  is 
blended,  and  he  has  left  its  advancement  to  his  disciples. 
He  has  left  representatives  upon  earth  to  receive  the  tithes 
of  his  vineyard.  In  them,  he  who  loves  Christ,  sees  Christ. 
If  he  sees  a  languishing  Church,  he  regards  it  as  Christ's 


372  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.     JACKSON. 

languishing  body.  If  he  sees  a  suffering  servant  of  his,  he 
looks  upon  him  as  a  member  of  Christ's  body,  and  with 
good-will  renders  him  service,  as  he  would  to  Christ.  We 
have  no  substantial  way  of  doing  Christ  service,  but  through 
his  members.  Who  would  not  think  it  an  honor  to  enter- 
tain Christ,  were  he  now  in  the  world  ?  Where  there  is 
this  love  there  will  be  an  ear  open  to  the  cries  of  the  poor ; 
a  hand  stretched  out  to  afford  relief;  a  heart  burning  with 
zeal  to  promote  his  glory. 

A  third  property  of  Love,  is  desire.  That  which  we 
love  we  desire  to  possess,  and  the  warmer  our  affection, 
the  more  ardent  will  be  our  desire,  until  the  soul  hungers 
and  thirsts  and  cries  for  it,  and  strives  to  reach  it.  Such  is 
the  longing  of  the  soul  after  Christ  when  it  is  imbued  with 
holy  love.  It  has  other  necessities,  but  Christ  is  all  its 
desire,  and  all  its  song.  It  can  never  rest  satisfied  until  it 
can  say,  "  I  am  my  beloved's  and  my  beloved  is  mine." 

Nor  can  he  rest  here,  for  another  desire  springs  up  spon- 
taneously in  the  heart,  and  that  is  to  be  with  him.  He  is 
not  content  with  this  transient,  uncertain,  and  partial  inter- 
course between  the  soul  and  Christ  on  earth  ;  therefore,  he 
would  cross  the  sea  which  separates  them.  He  would  gladly 
"  drop  this  load  of  clay,  and  die  to  see  his  face."  Had  he 
the  wings  of  a  dove,  he  would  fly  away  and  be  where  Jesus 
is.  His  desire  is  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ.  His  cry 
is,  "  When  shall  I  come  to  appear  before  the  presence  of 
God."  He  has  other  objects  of  love  besides,  but  none  to 
be  compared  with  this.  All  others  are  subordinate  ;  this  is 
supreme. 


PREACHING. 

Preaching  has  its  auxiliaries  but  it  has  no  substitute. 
Some  other  means,  as  pioneers  may  go  before,  or  as  the  van- 


FRAGMENTS.  373 

guard  maj'-  prepare  the  way,  such  as  education,  tracts  and 
religious  books,  and  some  may  follow  after,  as  ordinances, 
church-fellowship  and  discipline,  but  the  great  company  of 
those  who  preach  the  word,  are  the  Lord's  instruments  for 
overthrowing  the  kingdom  of  Satan.  So  Christ  appeared 
in  the  world,  as  a  prophet  or  preacher.  He  sent  his  Apos- 
tles to  preach,  and  gave  them  commandment  to  send  others. 
By  preaching  the  three  thousand  were  converted.  The 
great  Apostle  thanks  God  that  he  baptized  but  few  of  the 
Corinthians,  but  glories  that  he  was  sent  to  preach  the  Gos- 
pel. He  despised  tribulation  that  he  might  preach  it ;  yea, 
he  "counted  not  his  life  dear  unto  him,  so  that  he  might 
finish,  (that  is  faithfully  accomplish,)  the  ministry  which  he 
had  received  of  the  Lord  Jesus." 


PREACHING  CHRIST. 

Where  is  it  that  among  so  many  prophets,  and  so  much 
prophecying,  and  to  so  man}'  dry  bones,  it  can  be  said  to  so 
few,  "You  hath  he  quickened;"  whence,  but  from  the  fact, 
that  though  the  prophets  prophecy  to  the  bones,  they  preach 
another  Gospel.  They  do  not  preach  "  Christ  crucified." 
The  pole  must  not  only  be  lifted  up  but  the  serpent  must  be 
upon  it.  The  angel  must  not  only  fly  in  the  midst,  but  he 
must  carry  the  everlasting  Gospel !  We  must  not  only 
stand  among  the  dry  bones,  but  we  must  cause  them  to 
hear  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  this  is  the  word, — the  glorious 
Gospel  of  Christ. 

We  have  heard  men  preach,  and  they  have  attracted  the 
gaze  of  the  multitude  ;  and  they  have  preached  nothing  but 
truth,  but  there  has  been  no  moving  among  the  dry  bones 
because  they  did  not  preach  the  whole  truth ;  they  did  not 
preach  Christ.     He  was  not  the  selected  topic  for  the  oc- 


374  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON, 

casion.  They  have  preached  man  the  sinner,  but  not  Christ 
the  Saviour.  They  have  taken  away  false  gods,  but  not 
declared  the  true  God.  They  have  dashed  the  cup  of 
pleasure  from  the  lips,  but  they  have  not  given  the  cup  of 
salvation.  They  have  ground  the  broken  cistern  to  powder, 
but  they  have  not  opened  the  living  fountain.  They  have 
proved  the  authenticity  and  inspiration  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, but  they  have  not  preached  from  them,  "the  blessed 
hope  of  everlasting  life."  Their  preaching  is  a  garden, 
beautiful  to  the  eye,  fragrant  to  the  smell  and  enchanting 
like  another  Paradise,  but  there  is  no  tree  of  saving  know- 
ledge or  of  life.  In  it  there  is  indeed  a  sepulchre,  but  the 
Lord  is  not  there ;  no,  nor  angel  to  say,  "  Behold  he  goeth 
before  you."  In  truth,  they  all  roll  an  insurmountable 
stone  upon  the  grave,  and  consequently  such  preachers 
have  no  Pentecostal  day. 

There  are  others  who  preach  about  Christ, — about  his 
heavenly  glor)T,  and  his  worldly  poverty.  They  sing  of 
his  nativity  in  such  a  lovely  voice,  that  you  would  fancy 
yourself  on  the  plains  of  Bethlehem.  They  throw  such  a 
halo  of  glory  around  his  brow,  that  j~ou  would  say  that  it 
were  the  glor}7  of  the  Highest.  They  paint  with  such  a 
master-hand,  the  scene  of  his  agon}7  and  bloody  sweat,  that 
you  world  think  Christ  himself  evidently  before  your  e}res, 
but  they  preach  not  the  grave  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ; 
none  are  enriched.  They  speak  not  of  our  relations  to  him, 
and  none  are  pricked  in  their  hearts  : — nor  the  glories  of 
his  office  and  character,  and  his  relations  to  us,  and  none 
go  away  rejoicing. 

TRUE    BENEVOLENCE. 

Mere  giving  is  no  more  the  genuine  charity  of  the  Gos- 
pel, than  mere  motion  is  life  and  intelligence.      That  there 


FRAGMENTS.  375 

is  an  obvious  distinction  between  the  outward  act,  and  the 
inward  offering,  is  most  manifest  from  the  apostle's  words, 
— "  though  I  give  my  body  to  be  burned,  and  have  not 
charity,  it  profiteth  me  nothing."  Of  the  thousands,  on  the 
left  of  the  throne  of  judgment,  there  will  be  found  many 
who  have  opened  a  liberal  hand,  who  have  been  the  pa- 
trons of  the  poor,  and  the  supporters  of  religion,  but  it  will 
profit  them  not,  because  their  hearts  were  not  right  towards 
God. 


True  benevolence  has  a  believing  regard  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  "  Do  all  things  as  unto  the  Lord,"  that  is, 
when  we  regard  the  poor  as  in  Christ's  stead,  and  love  and 
relieve  them  for  his  sake.  This  puts  a  peculiar  excellency 
and  honor  upon  our  acts  ;  and  then  they  are  regarded  by 
Christ  as  done  to  himself.  "  Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it 
unto  one  of  the  least  of  these,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me." 
When  an  object  of  charity  presents  itself  to  our  notice,  we 
should  imagine  Christ  himself  to  be  before  us,  and  if  we 
have  hearts  to  feel,  that  will  be  a  more  eloquent  and  effect- 
ive appeal,  than  the  strongest  and  most  glowing  language 
that  mortal  tongue  could  utter. 


This  spirit  is  the  test  of  our  religious  character.  A 
man  may  be  naturally  churlish  and  illiberal ;  he  may  not 
have  a  thought,  or  anxiety  beyond  himself;  but  when  grace 
takes  possession  of  the  soul,  it  expands;  the  hand  releases 
its  grasp,  and  the  man  becomes  a  blessing  to  all  around 
him.  The  affections  of  his  breast  are  turned  towards  God 
supremely,  and  towards  man  for  God's  sake  ;  and  his  out- 
ward actions  correspond  with  his  inward  affections.  "  If  a 
man  love  noi  his  brother  whom  he  hath  seen,  how  can  he 


376  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    \VM.    JACKSON. 

love  God  whom  he  hath  not  seen."  Vain  are  our  pretensions 
to  a  spiritual  change,  unless  this  first,  great,  and  obvious 
fruit  of  grace  be  seen  in  us.  It  is  precious  fruit  which 
grows  not  on  the  thorns  and  briers  of  an  unredeemed  heart. 
Men  may  indeed  be  what  is  termed  liberal  from  merely 
selfish  motives,  or  by  a  kind  of  instinct,  but  it  partakes  of 
no  moral  excellence.  So  the  brute  beast  may  perform  a 
noble  act,  and  evince  affection  for  its  offspring,  but  we  nev- 
er think  of  attaching  moral  worth,  either  to  the  action  or  to. 
the  emotion. 


Light  and  heat  are  not  more  invariably  attendant  on  the 
sun,  than  the  sacred  glow  of  benevolence,  and  the  clear 
shining  of  holiness,  are  on  our  regeneration. 


As  you  hope  to  stand  accepted  before  God,  cultivate 
this  gracious  principle.  It  is  not  in  us  by  nature  ;  and  if 
you  feel  your  entire  destitution,  go  to  that  God,  who  alone 
can  shed  abroad  this  love  in  your  heart.  And  then  re- 
member, that  it  is  capable  of  cultivation,  and  this  is  the 
proper  emplo}Tment  of  rational,  intelligent,  and  religious 
beings.  You  were  created  for  this  very  purpose.  Love 
and  good  works  act  reciprocally  upon  each  other,  and  lend 
towards  each  other's  perfection.  "  Abound  in  love."  Sure- 
ly we  ought  to  love  those  who  are  made  by  the  same  hand  ; 
bought  with  the  same  blood,  and  sanctified  by  the  same 
spirit.  We  must  love  those  who  are  loved  so  much  of  God, 
and  bear  his  image.  Rather  if  we  love  the  Head,  we  shall 
love  the  members  ;  if  we  love  Him  that  begat,  we  shall 
love  those  who  are  begotten  of  Him."  Abound  then  in  love 
to  God,  and  you  will  abound  in  good  works.     Set  yourself 


FRAGMENTS.  377 


to  do  good  to  those  who  are  in  need,  whatever  the  nature 
of  the  need  may  be  ;  and  if  only  pity  move  at  first,  it  will 
soon  ripen  into  love.  While  seeking  your  own  good,  both 
temporal  and  spiritual,  seek  to  advance  the  temporal  and 
spiritual  good  of  those  within  your  sphere  of  action.  Do 
it,  not  accidently,  as  a  miserable  object  may  present  itself 
to  your  notice  ;  or  as  you  ma}-  be  appealed  to  from  the  pul- 
pit, or  the  press  ;  but  form  your  design  ;  lay  your  "plan  ; 
adopt  your  system  ;  and  pray  always  that  you  may  in  some 
good  degree  resemble  Him,  who  made  it  his  meat  and 
drink,  and  who  went  about  "  doing  good." 


WHAT  IS  FAITH? 

The  difficulty  in  this  question  arises  from  two  causes ; 
first,  from  the  propensity  of  some,  particularly  the  careless, 
to  persuade  themselves  that  all  is  right  and  safe  in  their 
case,  and  hence  they  run  into  the  mistake,  that  the  simple 
assent  of  the  mind  to  the  system  of  faith  revealed  in  the 
word  of  God,  resulting  from  mere  education,  or  from  the 
circumstance  of  being  born  in  a  Christian  land,  is  faith, 
though  it  neither  affect  heart  nor  life.  It  is  faith  just  as 
much  as  a  dead  body  is  a  man,  and  no  more,  and  will  be 
found  of  no  more  use  to  its  possessor,  than  a  dead  body  is 
to  s  ciety. 

The  second  source  of  difficulty,  lies  in  the  vast  import- 
ance of  the  case.  The  man  feels  that  every  thing  for  eter- 
nity depends  upon  faith.  He  feels  that  a  mistake  here 
would  be  fatal  ;  and  hence  his  very  anxiety  to  be  right,  I 
had  almost  said,  causes  him  to  be  wrong, — it  causes  him 
to  approach  the  subject  as  one  of  the  deep  things  of  God, 
hard  to  be  understood.  He  cannot  be  persuaded  that  faith 
is  one  of  the  very  simplest  exercises  of  the  mind.    The  ere- 


378  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

dence  of  a  child  in  the  word  of  his  father,  which  is  so 
natural  and  simple  that  any  child  can  comprehend  it,  is  the 
very  same  principle  as  that  of  a  belief  in  the  word  of  God. 
In  both  cases  it  influences  the  mind  and  the  conduct.  In 
both  cases  it  is  belief,  trust,  confidence  ;  the  result  of  evi- 
dence. When  genuine,  it  is  combined  with  love  and  fear  ; 
love  of  the  person,  and  fear  of  his  displeasure.  The  ab- 
sence of  fear,  implies  a  want  of  confidence  in  threatening. 
The  want  of  love,  implies  a  disregard  of  favor.  There  may 
be  an  acknowledgment  that  such  and  such  things  have 
been  said,  but  the  deficiency  of  fear  and  love  leave  upon 
the  mind  the  delusion  that  somehow  or  another  they  will 
not  be  performed,  and  so  it  becomes  a  "  dead  faith,"  that 
is,  no  faith  at  all. 


The  world  is  Satan's  bait.  He  seldom  throws  out  a 
naked  hook.  Let  murder,  fraud,  lying,  or  idolatry,  be  pre- 
sented in  their  undisguised  turpitude,  and  few  of  good  ed- 
ucation and  correct  morals  can  be  taken  captive  by  him. 
But  he  conceals  the  hook  in  a  goodly  bait,  like  a  skilful  an- 
gler. He  knows  how  to  use  that  part  of  the  world,  which 
is  best  suited  to  our  taste,  and  most  likely  to  decoy.  For 
one,  he  has  a  golden  bait;  for  another,  pleasure;  for  a 
third,  worldly  consequence  and  honor.  And  his  line  is 
thrown  out  in  every  place  ;  in  the  place  of  business,  in  our 
families,  studies,  at  our  tables,  and  on  our  pillows. 


SELF-DENIAL. 


To  renounce  the  flesh,  is  to  lay  the  axe  to  the  root  of 
the  tree.  The  agent  in  the  great  work,  is  the  Spirit  of  God  ; 
the  means  are,  "  denying  ourselves  all  ungodliness    and 


FRAGMENTS.  379 

worldly  lusts  ;  in  "mortifying  the  flesh  with  its  affections 
and  lusts  ;"  in  plucking  out  right  eyes,  and  cutting  off  right 
arms  ;  in  laying  aside  every  weight,  and  the  sin  which 
doth  so  easily  beset  us.  If  we  have  a  strong  natural  appe- 
tite for  any  object,  against  that  we  must  wage  special 
warfare.  It  must  be  renounced.  It  must  be  mortified,  by 
the  practice  cf  the  contrary  virtue.  If  intemperance  or 
gluttony  be  the  besetting  sin,  we  must  be  more  abstemious 
and  self-denying  than  others.  If  it  be  covetousness,  we 
must  force  ourselves  to  liberality,  rather  beyond,  than  under 
our  means.  If  it  be  a  vain  desire  for  splendor,  we  must 
be  plainer  in  our  persons,  furniture,  and  equipage,  than  we 
otherwise  might  be. 

Until  this  is  done,  we  are  in  constant  danger  of  being 
snared  and  taken ;  if  it  be  intermitted,  we  are  in  danger  of 
returning  like  the  dog  to  his  vomit.  Remember  Lot's 
wife  !  who,  through  fear,  left  Sodom,  but  renounced  not  the 
flesh,  and  so  perished  on  the  plains  as  suddenly,  and  as 
awfully,  as  if  she  had  tarried  in  the  city.  Remember  the 
Israelites  !  who  escaped  from  the  bondage  of  Egypt,  but 
still  lusted  after  its  flesh  pots.  They  renounced  not  their 
besetting  sins,  and  so  fell  in  the  wilderness.  Remem- 
ber Judas  !  who  left  all  and  followed  Christ,  but  he  re- 
nounced not  his  darling  lust.  He  changed  his  course  and 
his  calling,  but  his  heart  was  not  changed.  With  all  his 
professions,  and  attendance  upon  Christ,  he  loved  money, 
and  so  perished  in  his  iniquity. 

It  is  not  enough  to  renounce  one  enemy.  We  must  re- 
nounce all.  Death  is  as  certain  from  one,  as  from  all.  To 
flee  from  one,  and  not  from  another,  is,  "  as  if  a  man  did 
flee  from  a  lion,  and  a  bear  met  him :  or  went  into  the 
house  and  leaned  his  hand  on  the  wall,  and  a  serpent  bit 
him." 


3S0  REMAINS    OP    THE    REV.    AVM.    JACKSON. 

No  sin  may  be  spared,  though  it  be  a  little  one ;  no 
truth  rejected,  though  it  be  a  mysterious  one ;  no  duty 
avoided,  though  it  be  a  hard  one. 


God  does  not  ask  you  to  conquer  all  his  foes,  the  instant 
you  enlist  under  his  banners ;  but  -He  does  require,  that 
you  should  enlist  in  good  faith ;  that  you  should  totally 
and  for  ever  abandon  "  the  armies  of  the  aliens,"  and  man- 
fully fight  against  sin,  the  world,  and  the  devil,  and  "con- 
tinue his  faithful  soldier  and  servant  till  your  life's  end." 


INABILITY. 

You  are  taught  first  the  Creed,  to  know  what  you  must 
believe  ;  then,  the  commandments,  to  know  what  you  must 
do ;  then  the  prayer,  that  you  may  know  where  your 
strength  lies  ;  and  when  you  have  asked  wisdom,  and  God 
has  refused  it, — strength,  and  God  has  withheld  it, — his 
Spirit,  and  God  has  denied  it, — then,  and  not  till  then,  will 
your  plea  of  weakness  be  admitted,  for  neglecting  your  du- 
ties to  God. 


THE  MARRIAGE  SUPPER. 

God  has  made  ready  a  great  supper  in  the  Gospel ; — 
plentiful  provision  for  the  souls  of  men.  Here  is  "  bread 
to  strengthen  man's  heart ;"  and  wine  to  cheer  him  ;  and 
"  fat  things  full  of  marrow,"  to  gratify  every  taste  and 
appetite  ;  and  oil  to  make  him  a  cheerful  countenance  ;  and 
garments  of  fine  linen  and  wrought  gold,  even  the  righte- 
ousness of  Christ,  meet  for  those  who  stand  in  the  presence 


FRAGMENTS.  381 

of  the  Holy  of  Holies.  In  the  Gospel,  the  glorious  Gospel, 
there  is  grace  to  pardon,  grace  to  justify,  grace  to  sanctify, 
grace  to  glorify,  and  grace  to  satisfy  the  largest  demands 
of  every  soul  that  accepts  the  invitation. 

In  preparing  a  large  supper  there  is  a  display  of  skill ; 
an  expenditure  of  money ;  a  devotion  of  time  ;  and  much 
cost  of  labor.  Witness  that  which  King  Ahazuerus  made 
"  for  his  princes,  his  nobles,  and  servants,  and  all  that  were 
at  Shushan,  the  palace." 

In  the  Gospel  feast,  there  is  a  display  of  slcill  that  is  in- 
finite. If  all  the  wisdom  of  all  men,  of  all  time,  were  con- 
centred in  one  individual,  he  could  no  more  have  contrived 
such  provision  for  man's  spiritual  necessities,  than  he  could 
conceive  "the  notion  of  another  sense,"  in  the  animal  man. 
There  is  an  expenditure  against  which  the  wealth  of  worlds 
on  worlds  were  a  cypher  in  the  account.  The  bread  of  the 
kingdom  was  purchased,  "  not  with  corruptible  things  as 
silver  and  gold."  There  is  a  devotion  of  time,  yea,  of  eter- 
nal ages.  In  spreading  the  table,  the  counsels  concerning 
it  began  before  the  world  began.  There  is  a  consumption 
of  labor,  unequalled  by  the  toil  expended,  or  all  the  most 
magnificent  exhibitions  of  human  industry  and  art.  It  was 
the  labor  of  Omnipotence :  the  work  of  "  God  manifest  in 
the  flesh."  The  God  of  all  heavens,  became  a  "man  of  no 
reputation."  The  Ruler  of  all  became  the  servant  of  all. 
The  fountain  of  bliss  was  filled  with  sorrowful  travail,  in 
preparing  this  entertainment  for  man.  In  six  days  he  made 
the  world,  and  all  things  therein,  but  for  thirty  years  and 
more,  he  labored  to  prepare  this  feast.  By  a  word,  and 
that  was  done  ;  but  for  this  he  endured  toil,  reproach,  agony, 
and  death.  For  man's  temporal  wants,  he  commanded  the 
earth,  and  it  brought  forth  abundantly;  but  for  his  spiritual 
necessities,  his  own  body  is  bruised  and  broken. 


3S2  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

ZEAL. 

Zeal,  in  the  abstract,  is  not  grace,  nor  any  proof  of  grace. 
Jehu  was  zealous  for  the  destruction  of  idolatry,  and  cried 
out,  "  Come  with  me  and  see  my  zeal  for  the  Lord,"  but 
he  was  not  a  man  of  grace.  Paul,  before  his  conversion, 
was  zealous  for  the  law,  but  he  was  under  the  curse  of  the 
law.  Zeal  to  be  genuine,  must  be  centred  on  a  worthy 
object,  and  spring  from  a  pure  motive.  It  must  have  no 
private  ends  in  view,  and  it  must  emanate  from  faith  and 
love.  Thus  Phineas  stood  up  and  executed  judgment  on 
Zimri  and  Corbi.  "  He  was  zealous  for  my  sake,"  said 
the  Lord,  "  and  it  was  counted  to  him  for  righteousness." 
"  It  is  good  to  be  zealously  affected  in  a  good  " — but  not  in 
an  evil — "  thing." 


THE  HOUSE  OF  GOD. 

The  glory  of  a  sacred  edifice  lies  not  in  its  vaulted  roof 
and  lofty  spire,  and  pealing  organ,  but  in  the  glory  that  fills 
the  house, — the  divine  presence;  not  in  its  fabric  of  goodly 
stones,  but  in  its  living  stones  polished  by  the  hand  of  the 
Spirit;  not  in  its  profusion  of  gold,  but  in  the  gifts  and 
graces  of  the  Spirit ;  not  in  its  pointed  windows,  but  in  its 
Gospel  light ;  not  in  its  choir  of  singing  men  and  of  singing 
women,  but  in  the  music  of  well-tuned  hearts ;  not  in  its 
sacred  priesthood,  but  in  the  great  High  Priest.  If  every 
stone  were  a  diamond,  and  every  beam  of  cedar,  every 
window  a  crystal,  and  every  door  a  pearl;  if  the  roof  were 
studded  with  sapphires,  and  the  floor  tesselated  with  all 
manner  of  precious  stones  ;  and  yet,  if  Christ  and  the  Spirit 
be  not  there,  and  if  the  sacrifice  of  the  heart  be  not  there, 
the  building  has  no  glory.     The  house  of  God  must  have  a 


FRAGMENTS.  383 

glory  beyond  what  Solomon's  cunning  workmen  can  give 
it,  even  the  Lord  God,  who  is  "  the  glory  thereof." 


ACTIVE  BENEVOLENCE. 

Active  benevolence  affects  our  spiritual  prosperity. 
Growth  in  grace  stands  indissolubly  connected  with  practi- 
cal piety.  Doing  good  to  others  opens  the  windows  of  hea- 
ven, and  brings  showers  of  blessings  on  the  soul,  cheering 
as  the  sun  and  refreshing  as  the  dew  upon  the  tender  grass. 
"  The  liberal  soul  shall  be  made  fat,"  and  he  that  "  water- 
eth  others  shall  be  watered  himself." 

It  is  that  investment  in  the  heavenly  treasury  which 
returns  in  due  time  with  interest,  into  the  Christian's  own 
bosom.  He  that  giveth  to  "  the  poor  lendeth  to  the  Lord  ; 
and  that  which  he  hath  given,  will  he  pay  him  again." 

It  is  the  scattering  which  increases.  To  give,  is  to  sow; 
and  as  sure  as  we  make  a  seed-time,  so  surely  will  God 
make  a  harvest  follow;  for  "  God,  even  our  God,  shall  give 
us  his  blessing."  It  is  that  exercise  which  creates  an  ap- 
petite for  spiritual  food  ;  which  imparts  sense  to  the  spiri- 
tual system ;  which  advances  all  the  parts  of  the  new  man 
in  due  and  beautiful  proportions.  The  true  reason  why 
there  are  so  many  dwarfs  in  the  Church,  who  might  be 
giants,  is  that  they  do  not  exercise  unto  godliness  ;  conse- 
quently, they  have  no  appetite  for  the  strong  meat  of  the 
Gospel. 

How  many  Christians  complain  that  faith  is  weak;  their 
hope  so  faint ;  their  love  so  cold ;  their  confidence  so  fee- 
ble. The  reason  is  obvious.  They  give  themselves  no 
exercise.  It  is  only  by  active  exertions  in  the  cause  of 
God  and  man,  that  they  can  go  from  strength  to  strength. 
The  Christian  character  is  altogether  incomplete  without 
active  benevolence.     The  young  man  who  came  to  Christ, 


384  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.     WH.    JACKSON. 

lacked  "one  thing."  It  was  not  amiability,  nor. humility, 
nor  earnestness,  nor  simplicity,  nor  anxiety  about  his  salva- 
tion ;  but  he  lacked  benevolence,  and  so  he  lacked  every 
thing,  and  could  not  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 


Hope,  apart  from  benevolence,  is  an  anchor  without  a 
cable  :  peace,  is  a  delusion, — assurance,  the  witness  of  the 
Spirit  of  Darkness  transforming  himself  into  an  angel  of 
light — and  the  end  of  such  will  be,  they  shall  lie  down  in 
darkness  and  sorrow.  Remember,  that  although  all  the 
promises  of  special  enjo}^ments  are  free  and  gratuitous  as 
grace  can  make  them,  yet  are  they  ever  annexed  to  good 
works. 


THE  HOT.Y  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

It  is  a  contradiction  in  terms  to  speak  of  the  Roman 
Church,  or  of  any  other  individual  Church,  as  the  Catholic 
Church ;  just  as  it  would  be  to  call  a  part  of  the  body,  the 
whole  ;  or  to  say  of  the  people  of  any  nation,  that  they  are 
the  human  family.  When  we  pray  for  "  the  Holy  Church 
Universal,"  or  Catholic,  we  pray  for  "  all  who  profess  and 
call  themselves  Christians." 


It  is  so  constituted  that  it  admits,  yea,  welcomes  into  its 
communion,  all  who  will  be  welcomed  into  heaven.  It  is 
a  Church  which,  like  "  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  is  open  to 
all  believers."  It  is  a  Church  which  rejects  not  that  which 
heaven  will  not  reject,  though  heaven  may  reject  some 
that  it  receives,  because  the  chief  Shepherd  is  an  unerring 
judge;  the  under  shepherds  are  rather  teachers  than  judges. 
The  Church  in  the  world  is  the  threshing  floor,  where  the 


FRAGMENTS.  385 

chaff  is  ever  mingled  with  the  wheat.    The  Church  in  hea- 
ven is  the  garner,  where  only  the  wheat  is  gathered  in. 

The   Catholic  Church,  is  one  which  excludes  no  Chris- 
tian, denounces  no  Christian. 


*  . 


It  does  not  destroy  the  catholicity  of  a  Church  to  es- 
tablish rules,  rites,  and  ceremonies,  provided  that  it  "  or- 
dain nothing  contrary  to  God's  word  written."  Even  in 
the  Jewish  Church,  we  find  the  establishment  of  courses 
by  David ;  of  the  Feast  of  Purin  after  Haman's  plot ;  of 
the  Feast  of  the  Dedication  by  the  Maccabees  ;  and  of  the 
Synagogue  worship ;  none  of  which  appear  to  have  been  of 
divine  appointment,  but  as  they  were  not  contrary  to  God's 
word,  they  were  honored  by  Christ  and  his  apostles. 

It  does  destroy  the  catholicity  of  a  Church,  to  lay 
down  any  dogma,  rite,  ceremony,  or  worship,  as  a  positive 
term  of  commiinion,  which  is  not  required  in  the  word  of 
God.  Thus,  that  Church  is  not  catholic  which  erects  a 
stern,  calvinistic  standard  ;  nor  that  which  sets  up  a  rigid, 
Arminian  creed  ;  nor  that  which  insists  upon  a  particular 
mode  or  quantity  of  the  elements  to  be  used  in  either  of  the 
sacraments;  nor  that  which  forbids  the  use  of  either  of  the 
elements,  because  there  are  thousands  in  heaven,  who  are 
neither  Calvinists  nor  Arminians,  Immersionists  nor  Ro- 
manists. 

A  true  catholic  Church  maintains  the  fundamental  arti- 
cles of  the  Christian  faith,  adopts  her  rules  of  order  from 
the  word  of  God,  and  leaves  disputed  points  to  private 
opinion.  It  is  not  so  lax,  as  to  admit  destroying  heresies  ; 
if  it  be,  it  ceases  to  be  a  Church  ;  nor  so  rigid,  as  to  allow 
no  latitude  for  diversity  of  sentiment;  if  it  be,  it  ceases  to 

be  a  catholic  Church. 
25 


386  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.   JACKSON. 

FALL  OF  MAN. 

When  he  fell,  his  glory  departed  ;  his  understanding 
became  darkened  ;  the  will  debased  ;  the  conscience  cor- 
rupted ;  the  affections  enslaved. 

Was  he  once  like  the  Temple  in  its  glory,  a  meet  dwell- 
ing-place for  the  High  and  Holy  One?  Now  he  is  like  the 
Temple  in  ruins.  The  altar  is  thrown  down ;  the  tables 
of  the  Law  are  broken  ;  the  sacred  incense  has  become  a 
noxious  vapor ;  the  beauty  of  holiness  has  departed,  and 
the  house  of  prayer  has  become  a  den  of  beasts,  which  rob 
God  of  his  glory,  and  man  of  his  blessedness.  Satan  sug- 
gested ;  man  consented.  As  St.  Chrysostom  says  of  the 
temptation  of  the  second  Adam,  so  we  say  of  the  first,  "He 
forced  him  not.  He  touched  him  not;  only  said,  "  Cast 
thyself  down  ;  "  that  we  may  know  that  whosoever  obeyeth 
the  Devil,  casteth  himself  down  ;  for  Satan  may  suggest  ; 
compel,  he  cannot." 


THE  NEW  BIRTH. 

In  order  to  make  it  in  its  nature  and  effects  plain,  we 
must  recur  to  that  awful  event,  by  which  corruption,  sin, 
and  misery,  were  entailed  on  all  Adam's  race. 

No  guilt  was  contracted  by  us  in  the  fall ;  the  guilt  of  our 
first  parents'  sin  belonged  to  themselves,  consequently  there 
is  no  removal  of  guilt  in  Regeneration.  That  is  the  appro- 
priate work  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Nor  did  the  fall  consist  in  the  loss  of  any  animal  pro- 
perties, consequently  no  new  animal  properties  are  com- 
municated in  Regeneration.  Nor  did  it  consist  in  the  loss 
of  intellectual  faculties,  consequently  no  new  faculties  are 
bestowed  in  this  change.  Nor  did  it  consist  in  the  loss  of 
moral  power,  or  those  powers  which  constituted  him  in  the 


FRAGMENTS.  387 

first  instance  capable  of  moral  obligation,  and  rendered 
him  an  accountable  creature,  as  the  power  to  will,  to  love, 
to  believe,  to  act ;  so  neither  are  new  moral  properties  im- 
parted in  Regeneration.  Wherein  then  did  the  fall  of  man 
consist?  We  answer,  in  the  perversion  of  the  whole, — as 
an  animal,  he  became  enslaved  to  sensuality  and  lust;  as 
an  intellectual  being,  he  became  earthly,  vain  in  his  imagi- 
nation, exercising  his  reason  only  upon  earthly  objects, 
worldly  maxims  and  principles,  and  for  casual  ends  ;  a?  a 
moral  being,  he  became  devilish.  Satan  became  the  prince 
of  the  world,  and  man  his  willing  subject. 

Now  Regeneration  restores  man  to  his  legitimate  Lord, 
and  directs  him  to  the  real  end  of  his  creation.  In  other 
words,  he  becomes  spiritual,  heavenly,  godly. 


REPENTANCE. 

Repentance  is  Christ's  forerunner  in  the  work  of  grace 
on  the  heart ;  and  like  the  Messenger  of  Christ,  it  is  a  rough, 
austere,  self-denying  grace.  It  drives  a  man  into  retirement 
from  a  gay,  giddy  and  thoughtless  world,  that  in  secret, 
where  no  eye  can  see  him,  he  may  pour  out  his  soul  by  him- 
self, saying,  "  O  wretched  man  that  I  am  !  "  "  God  be 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner."  It  "  feeds  him  with  bread  of 
tears,  and  gives  him  tears  to  drink  in  great  measure." 


THE  RESURRECTION. 

The  soul  is  not  deposited  in  the  body,  as  a  jewel  in  a 
casket,  that  may  be  transferred  thence  and  yet  retain  all 
its  richness  and  lustre.  Nor  is  the  body  moulded  into  its 
beautiful  form,  with  members  constructed  as  mere  instru- 
ments by  which  the  soul  is  enabled  to  act.     Their  union  is 


S88  REMAINS    OP    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

much  more  close  and  intimate.  If  one  suffers,  the  other 
suffers ;  if  one  rejoices,  the  other  rejoices  ;  if  one  arts,  the 
other  participates.  If  the  soul  is  the  sinner,  the  body  with 
its  humors  and  appetites  is  the  instigator.  The  two  make 
one  man,  for  good  or  for  evil,  and  hence  it  would  appear, 
that  both  must  suffer,  or  both  be  blessed,  (according  to  their 
united  deeds,)  to  render  the  bliss  or  the  pain  of  the  other 
complete.  Hence,  it  was  the  comfort  of  Job,  that  in  his 
"  flesh  he  should  see  God." 

Again,  if  sin  has  brought  ruin  upon  soul  and  body,  it 
cannot  well  be  denied  that  that  which  takes  away  the  curse 
of  sin  takes  away  the  whole  curse.  Wherever  it  has  fallen 
thence  it  removes  it.  In  other  words,  if  the  displeasure  of 
God,  on  account  of  sin,  has  subjected  the  body  to  sickness, 
death,  and  corruption,  and  the  soul  to  banishment  from  his 
blessed  presence,  to  reap  the  reward  of  sin,  in  eternal  sor- 
row; then  by  fair  parity  of  reasoning,  that  redemption,  which 
extricates  the  soul  from  its  part  of  the  curse,  must  likewise  set 
the  body  free  ;  else  sin  has  brought  in  ruin,  which  the  grace 
of  God  does  not  repair.  But  that  ruin  has  been  repaired, 
therefore,  we  look  forward  with  confidence  to  the  period, 
when  our  bodies  shall  rise  from  the  dust,  like  the  new 
heavens  and  the  "  new  earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righteous- 
ness." "  Death  shall  no  more  have  dominion  over  us." 
####### 

The  Christian  rises  higher  and  higher  through  all  the 
progress  of  his  being.  At  first  he  is  born  into  the  world, 
heir  to  the  common  lot  of  all  men.  Then  he  is  born  again, 
"an  heir  of  God,  and  joint-heir  with  Christ."  Then,  his  dy- 
ing is  another  birth-day,  when  he  is  admitted  into  the  world 
of  spirits,  and  laid  in  Abraham's  bosom.  And  then  his  re- 
surrection is  another,  and  his  final  birth,  when  his  body  is 
brought  forth  from  the  womb    of  the    earth,  and  by   the 


FRAGMENTS.  389 

mighty  power  of  God,  is  caught  up  to  the  celestial  city, 
and  enthroned  in  immortal  glory. 


THE  END  OF  THE  UPRIGHT  IS  PEACE. 

"Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright;"  keep 
your  eye  upon  him ;  observe  him  ;  and  if  there  be  truth  in 
heaven,  "  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace."  His  way  may  be 
rugged  and  steep,  but  it  terminates  in  a  green  and  flowery 
land,  where  "everlasting  spring  abides."  His  sky  may  be 
cloudy,  but  his  sun  sets  clear,  and  gives  sure  pledge  of  ris- 
ing in  everlasting  day.  His  life  may  be  stormy,  but  he  shall 
enter  the  desired  haven  under  full  sail.  But  are  there  no  wit- 
nesses to  this  truth  ?  Yes,  we  are  compassed  about  with  "  a 
great  cloud  of  witnesses."  There  is  the  "  glorious  company 
of  the  Apostles;  the  goodly  fellowship  of  the  prophets,  and 
the  noble  army  of  maters."  There  is  Jacob,  "  a  man  of 
sorrow,  and  acquainted  with  grief,"  but  death  gathered  him 
to  his  fathers,  in  the  kingdom  above.  There  is  Moses,  the 
last  forty  years  of  whose  pilgrimage  lay  through  a  waste 
howling  wilderness,  continually  harrassed  with  a  rebellious 
and  stiff-necked  generation ;  but  he  died  in  honor,  and  in 
peace,  and  Michael,  the  archangel,  buried  him.  There  was 
Lazarus,  whose  life  was  emphatically  a  life  of  evil  things, 
but  it  came  to  pass  when  he  died,  that  he  was  carried  by 
angels  into  Abraham's  bosom,  and  there  received  beauty  for 
ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning,  and  garments  of  praise 
for  the  spirit  of  heaviness.  There  is  Stephen,  sealing  the 
truth  with  his  blood,  and  dying  amidst  a  shower  of  stones ; 
and  vet  so  peaceful  were  his  last  moments,  that  it  is  said, 
he  fell  asleep  with  heaven  opening  on  his  eyes,  and  his 
ears  ringing  with  the  melody  of  angels'  harps.  Who  is  not 
ready  to  be  slain  in  VLew  of  the  end  of  the  righteous,  "  Let 
my  last  end  be  like  his  !  " 


390  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

JEWISH  ORDINANCES. 

We  have  but  a  faint  apprehension  of  spiritual  truths, 
except  as  they  are  conveyed  to  our  minds  through  signs 
and  figures.  Heavenly  and  spiritual  subjects  are  too  vast 
to  be  comprehended  ;  too  subtle  to  be  perceived  by  our 
limited  faculties,  without  the  aid  of  symbols.  Hence  we 
see  the  importance  of  the  Jewish  economy  to  the  Christian 
Church.  Those  services  which  kept  alive  their  faith  and 
hope,  help  our  vision  ;  so  that  neither  they  without  us  nor 
we  without  them,  are  made  perfect.  I  love  to  contemplate 
the  pattern  given  on  the  mount  to  Moses.  It  assists  my 
feeble  powers  to  grasp  all  the  parts  of  that  vast  and  magni- 
ficent spiritual  temple  erected  by  a  greater  than  Solomon. 
As  an  orrery  indicates  the  position  and  the  movements  of 
the  celestial  bodies,  and  as  a  map  delineates  the  surface  of 
the  earth,  and  both  bring  these  vast  and  otherwise  incom- 
prehensible subjects  down  to  our  faculties,  so  the  laws, 
services,  and  ceremonies  of  God's  ancient  Church,  simplify 
and  elucidate  the  more  spiritual  dispensation  of  the  Gospel. 


THE  WASHING  AWAY  OF  SIN. 

Sin  must  be  washed  away,  not  covered.  It  must  be 
washed  away  with  blood;  not  with  tears; — not  with  the 
blood  of  thy  first-born,  but  with  the  blood  of  the  well-be- 
loved Son  of  God.  His  blood  has  been  shed  for  this  very 
end.  His  pierced  side  is  a  fountain,  full  and  inexhaustible  ; 
a  fountain  opened;  set  open,  left  open,  and  open  it  shall  be, 
and  efficacious  it  shall  be,  until  "  all  the  ransomed  Church 
of  God  be  saved  to  sin  no  more." 

But  you  must  wash  to  be  clean  :  and  if,  after  guilt  re- 
moved, you  again  touch  the  unclean  thing,  again  and  again 
prove  its  power.     Let  your  morning  and  evening  ablutions 


FRAGMENTS.  391 

be  in  this  fountain.  Let  your  deeds,  both  good  and 
bad,  pass  through  this  celestial  laver.  None  are  of  too 
deep  a  stain  to  resist  its  power:  none  so  pure,  that  they  can 
go  up  with  acceptance  to  God,  unless  you  bring  them  to  the 
blood  of  sprinkling.  "  Our  very  tears,"  says  Bishop  Beve- 
ridge,  "  need  to  be  washed,  and  our  repentances  to  be  re- 
pented of." 


HEAVEN. 

O  blest  abode !  how  my  heart  pants  to  drink  thy  waters  ; 
to  eat  thy  fruit ;  to  bask  beneath  the  beams  of  thy  sun  ;  to 
hear  the  melody  of  thy  music  !  In  that  garden,  there  is  no 
sepulchre;  no  forbidden  tree;  no  flaming  Cherubim  guard- 
ing the  way  to  the  tree  of  Life.  No  tempter  or  sin  can  enter 
there  to  mar  its  beauty,  or  infuse  a  dreg  into  its  bliss. 
Could  we  behold  but  half  the  glory  that  surrounds  the  in- 
habitants of  that  world,  how  dull  the  glory  of  this  would 
appear!  The  soul  would  cry  out, — "  Wo  is  me  that  I  am 
constrained  to  dwell  in  these  earthly  courts  !  When  shall 
I  come  to  appear  before  God  !  " 


DEATH. 

Death  possesses  a  kind  of  omnipotence  and  omnipre- 
sence. There  is  no  hiding  from  his  presence  or  his  power. 
Herdth  is  no  shield.  The  darkness  is  no  hiding-place.  The 
ends  of  the  earth  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea  are  not 
beyond  his  reach.  Whither,  then,  wilt  thou  go  ?  Where 
wilt  thou  hide  ?  Go  to  death's  conqueror ;  he  hath  taken 
away  the  sting!  Cling  to  the  cross, — there  he  is  disarmed! 
Stand  by  the  open  door  of  the  sepulchre,  and  ask,  "  O 
Grave,  where  is  thy  victory  ?  "     "  The  sting  of  death  is  sin," 


392  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

and  Christ  has  destroyed  its  condemning  power.  "  The 
strength  of  sin  is  the  law,"  and  Christ  has  satisfied  its  de- 
mands ;  and  now,  thou  mayest  take  the  monster  death  to 
thy  bosom, — he  cannot  harm  thee  ! 

The  same  power  which  transforms  our  nature,  changes 
the  character  of  death.  That  power  which  destroys  the 
dominion  of  sin  takes  away  the  dominion  of  death  ;  and 
that  grace  which  takes  away  the  guilt  of  our  transgressions, 
takes  away  the  sting  of  death  ;  when  we,  through  faith  can 
say, — "  Mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation  :  " — through  the 
same  faith,  we  may  add,  "  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  ser- 
vant depart  in  peace  !  " 


FEAR  OF  DEATH. 

Strengthen  yourself  against  the  fear  of  death,  by  reflect- 
ing on  the  benefits  of  dying.  Think  on  the  day  of  death 
as  a  day  of  redemption  from  all  the  ills  of  mortality.  Look 
upon  death  in  the  glass  of  the  Gospel,  not  of  the  law.  Re- 
member that  He  comes  by  God's  special  providence.  Re- 
member that  he  comes  with  "  length  of  days  in  his  right 
hand,  and  in  his  left  riches  and  honor."  Remember  that 
he  comes  perfumed  with  the  sweet  incense  of  precious  pro- 
mises ;  "  Blessed  are  the  dead,  who  die  in  the  Lord." 


UNBELIEF  THE  CRYING  SIN. 

With  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  the  case  stands  precisely  the 
same  as  any  cause  in  a  court  of  justice.  It  is  stated  with 
the  same  precision  and  accuracy  to  every  mind.  The  same 
weight  of  testimony  is  given  to  every  individual,  and  if  it 
be  good,  clear,  and  sufficient,  a  man  of  sound  intellect  and 


FRAGMENTS.  393 

unprejudiced  mind  is  convinced  ;  whilst  another  of  feeble 
intellect,  though  possessing  ths  same  evidence,  remains  un- 
convinced, and  we  pity  him  because  it  is  his  misfortune. 
But  should  there  be  a  third,  whose  mind,  under  the  influ- 
ence of  prejudice,  or  a  worse  principle,  remains  uncon- 
vinced, it  is  manifestly  his  fault,  and  all  would  with  one 
consent  condemn  him.  Angels  receive  all  truth  because 
their  intellectual  faculties  are  equipoised  by  holiness,  and 
uninfluenced  by  fear,  favor,  or  affection.  Idiots  receive 
none,  because  they  are  incapacitated  by  a  disordered  and 
shattered  mind,  and  we  pity  them  ;  but  the  natural  man 
believes  not,  because  his  mind  is  barred  and  bolted  by  pre- 
judice, the  love  of  sin,  and  enmity  to  God  and  godliness. 
Hence,  unbelief  is  the  crying  sin  of  man,  and  has  annexed 
to  it  the  most  a*vful  curse:  "He  that  believeth  not,  shall 
be  damned." 


HOLINESS. 

Holiness  takes  its  rise  in  the  spring  of  love,  and  at  its 
very  beginning,  divides  itself  into  two  great  streams, — this, 
flowing  towards  God,  in  the  various  acts  of  faith,  repent- 
ance, gratitude,  piety,  and  complacency  in  the  divine  cha- 
racter,— and  that,  towards  all  intelligent  creatures,  in  all 
those  acts  of  forbearance,  justice,  truth,  and  benevolence, 
which  characterise  the  man  of  God. 


GRACES  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


They  are  all  found  in  every  Christian,  but  they  are  not 
equally  strong  in  all.  As  a  child  possesses  all  the  parts 
and  properties  of  the  man,  but  not  in  the  same  degree  of 
strength,  so  the  individual  who  is  but  just  brought  to  new- 


394  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

ness  of  life  possesses  all  the  characteristics  of  a  Christian, 
as  really,  though  not  as  fully,  as  a  perfect  man  in  Christ 
Jesus. 


GRACE  AND  NATURE. 

Grace  is  the  very  opposite  of  Nature,  and  if  we  were  to 
sum  up  the  evidence  of  growth  in  grace,  in  one  word  we 
should  say  that  it  is  to  grow  less  and  less  like  ourselves. 


SELF-WILL. 

Self-will  is  not  less  opposed  to  God  than  man.  It  is  a 
spirit  that  would  give  laws  to  Jehovah  himself;  hence  it 
murmurs  at  his  dispensations,  and  rebels  against  his  requisi- 
tions ;  but  grace  teaches  him  to  submit  to  both,  with  a  ready 
heart,  and  a  willing  mind. 


FAITH  A  SPRING  OF  ACTION. 

It  is  this  which  gives  an  impulse  to  the  whole  machinery 
of  the  soul,  and  keeps  every  wheel  in  motion.  Without 
faith  it  is  as  impossible  to  please  God,  as  it  is  for  a  watch 
to  move  right,  before  the  spring  is  fixed.  Motion  may  in- 
deed be  communicated  to  the  several  parts  by  an  external 
force,  but  it  moves  not  with  the  sun.  It  gradually  abates 
its  stroke  until  the  impetus  is  spent,  and  then  it  rests  until 
the  impulse  is  repeated,  and  then  it  moves  and  strikes 
again,  but  it  is  as  a  useless  instrument,  a  toy  at  best,  fit 
only  for  a  play-thing.  Just  so  a  man  may  be  put  in  mo- 
tion by  another  agency  than  faith,  by  interest,  education, 
reputation,  or  pharisaic  pride.  A  transient  observer  may 
be  deceived,  imagining  that  they  derive  their  motion  from 


FRAGMENTS.  395 

the  actings  of  faith  ;  but  the  eye  of  Him  who  sees  the  irre- 
gularities of  the  soul,  discovers  that  they  move  not  by  the 
Sun  of  righteousness.  He  sees  a  tendency  to  abate,  and 
stop,  until  they  are  again  put  in  motion  by  some  selfish  mo- 
tive ;  and  thus  they  may  go  through  their  irregular  round 
of  duties,  sometimes  too  fast,  sometimes  too  slow,  till  life  is 
ended ;  and  then,  after  that  to  be  cast  aside  as  worthless 
instruments,  which  have  not  answered  the  end  of  their 
creation. 


If  faith  be  the  main-spring,  devotion  winds  up  the  ma- 
chinery, and  keeps  it  in  continual  motion.  It  is  as  impos- 
sible for  the  soul  to  remain  strong  in  faith,  and  active  in 
obedience,  without  continued  communion  with  God,  the 
fountain  of  all  grace,  as  it  is  for  a  clock  to  perform  its  re- 
volutions, without  being  regularly  wound  up. 


CHRTST  PRECIOUS  TO  HIS  PEOPLE. 

Without  Christ,  the  very  promises  of  the  Gospel  are  as 
grapes  of  Sodom  :  Faith  is  a  broken  reed,  and  the  hope  of 
salvation  an  illusion,  but  through  Christ,  the  promises  are 
"  yea  and  amen  ;"  faith  is  omnipotent,  and  hope  an  anchor, 
sure  and  steadfast. 

Now  he  who  invests  every  other  object  with  value,  must 
himself  be  intrinsically  "  precious."  If  the  stone  could  be 
found  which  would  transmute  all  other  substances  into  gold, 
it  would  be  more  valued  tha  1  all  gold.  Such  is  Christ. 
What  passes  through  his  hands  in  a  covenant  way  comes 
with  a  blessing  upon  it  and  in  it.  "  All  things  become  new." 
The  good  things  of  life  are  made  better,  and  the  evil  things 
good.  If  He  pour  out  water  for  us  it  bacomes  wine.  If  He 
break  to  us  our  bread,  He  makes  Himself  known  in  it.    Yea, 


396  REMAINS    OF    THE    REV.    WM.    JACKSON. 

if  His  hand  lay  a  burden  upon  us,  it  is  no  more  a  burden 
than  an  eagle's  wings.  And  this  is  not  more  wonderful, 
than  that,  by  his  power  in  the  beginning,  light  should  spring 
out  of  darkness,  order  out  of  confusion,  beauty  out  of  chaos, 
and  all  things  that  are  out  of  nothing. 

Then  he  is  "precious"  in  his  assumed  nature,  which  is 
our  nature.  Tt  is  as  Emmanuel,  God  with  us,  that  he  be- 
comes most  precious  ;  for  there  we  see  all  the  excellencies 
of  the  divine  nature  subserving  the  interests  of  man  the 
sinner;  and  there  we  see  human  nature  exalted  to  affinity 
with  the  divine,  and  so  God  and  man  who  were  separated 
by  sin,  are  reconciled  by  Christ. 

Trace  him  in  his  assumed  nature,  and  tell  if  ever  such 
an  one  was  born  of  woman  !  Ancient  infidels  testified, — 
"  Never  man  spake  like  this  man  ; :'  "  He  doeth  all  things 
well ; "  "I  find  no  fault  in  him  ;"  and  a  modern  infidel  has 
said,  "If  the  life  and  death  of  Socrates  were  those  of  a  sage; 
the  life  and  death  of  Jesus  were  those  of  a  God." 


CHRISTIAN  WARFARE. 

We  wrestle  "  with  principalities  and  powers."  We 
have  to  contend  with  the  Devil  and  his  angels,  who  ventured 
a  war  in  heaven  ;  who  encountered  and  overcame  innocent 
man  ;  who  shrunk  not  from  a  contest  with  the  Son  of  God 
himself;  who  more  than  once  staggered  the  faith  of  the 
fall)  :r  of  th".  faithful ;  and  entangled  "  the  man  after  God's 
own  heart,"  in  their  snares ;  and  caused  the  apostle  who  was 
firm  as  a  rock  to  fall ;  and  sorely  buffeted  the  apostle  of  the 
Gentiles. 

Let  all,  then,  who  are  born  from  above,  and  are  baptized 
with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  are  enlisted  under  Christ's  ban- 
ner, look  for  war.    Our  encouragement  is,  that  we  have  one 


FRAGMENTS.  397 

to  fight  for  us,  who  was  "  in  all  points  tempted  as  we  are," 
and  who  successfully  vanquished  the  tempter. 


ETERNAL  LIFE. 

Life  to  come  like  wrath  to  come  will  be  an  eternal  pro- 
gression. The  life  of  God  in  the  soul  by  grace,  insures  to 
the  soul  life  with  God  in  glory ;  and  life  like  God's.  We 
have  very  faint  conceptions  of  the  full  import  of  the  word 
life.  If  the  glorious  light  of  the  sun  is  but  a  shadow  of  God's 
glory,  the  life  of  man  is  but  a  shadow  of  the  life  of  God. 
The  life  of  a  plant  gives  but  a  faint  conception  of  the  life 
of  an  animal, — and  that  of  a  brute,  but  a  faint  conception 
of  the  life  of  a  man, — and  the  life  of  man  as  faint  a  concep- 
tion of  the  life  of  God  ;  and  that  life  of  God  is  the  promise. 
What  is  that  life?  We  can  only  speak  of  it  with  stammer- 
ing tongues.  None  of  the  similies  applied  to  life  here,  illus- 
trate life  there.  Not  a  bubble,  but  substantial  reality  :  not 
a  drop,  but  an  ocean  alwa}rs  full :  not  grass,  but  a  tree  grow- 
ing in  the  midst  of  the  Paradise  of  God ;  not  a  vapor,  but 
a  sun  lighted  up  at  the  fountain  of  light.  It  is  not  mere 
existence,  but  existence  full  of  blessedness;  life  without  a 
pang  ;  life  full  of  enjoyment ;  an  ocean  of  bliss,  without  a 
drop  of  bitterness  ;  and  forever  it  will  be — "life  to  come." 


THE  END. 


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